A memorable day for all rugby fans in England as Stourbridge, playing with 13 men for part of the 2nd half defeat their visitors whilst 200 inebriated members of the public mourn some random, one off game 8,200 miles away!

In one of their best performances for many years, Stour proved themselves determined, worthy adversaries against a strong Northern side who had both defensive skills and attacking options in abundance yet still unable to manage a losing bonus point.

It was DoR, Neil Mitchell, who pointed out particularly nasty weather before the game and, upon arrival, ‘Dale DOR did confirm that their pitch at Threshfield, was unplayable!

The visitors’ kicked off proceedings, into a moderate wind and Jack Lea, suffering from a dicky tummy, bulldozed his way down the left side to get momentum into the game. This was followed by two good Callum Morris kicks leaving ‘Dale a clearance into touch. The scrum half was rewarded by a clean lineout ball, catch and drive with early release whereby he darted over the line for Stourbridge to put 7 points on the board, courtesy of new kicker Noah Heward’s conversion and less than 4 minutes on the clock.

It didn’t take long for more points to count after the visitors lost right-winger Rian Hamilton for a ‘foul play’. Not for the only time, Stour lost their own lineout but Joe Collingham managed to steal the ball back. A fizzing pass followed this from Noah Heward’s right hand out to Dan Rundle. He was tackled but not held and the blond bombshell got back to his feet and managed to scramble over. This proved to be a record breaking Try and the first of another hatrick. Heward did the honours, again and Stour were 14-0 ahead with 10 minutes gone.

Even with just 14 players, ‘ Dale fought their way back into the game and were rewarded when, after two consecutive penalties, No 8 Rob Baldwin crashed over. Jack Blakeney-Edwards added the extras. After that, the visitors did compete well but a break out and a speculative kick by Mark George, pinned the visitors in their own 22. “Dale did return the compliment but a Heward Howitzer cancelled that out! Stourbridge stole the lineout through some excellent work by the ever-industrious Stef Thorp and fellow prop Mark George gathered recycled ball to rumble over and score. Heward was again accurate from the tee.

Back came ‘Dale again who soon had an attacking 5-metre lineout after Stour conceded yet another penalty. The ball was won and the forwards set up the ruck. A dummy run from Sam Gaudie drew the defence and Dan Stockdale crossed to touch down. Blakeney-Edwards added the two points to make the score 21-14 with 35 minutes gone.

Stourbridge added the bonus point try before half time when some uncharacteristic weak tackling from ‘Dale allowed a Stour penalty lineout. Accurate throwing by Jack Lea allowed Stourbridge backs to break the line and the ball was fizzed down through several pairs of hands and eventually into Joe Heatley’s grasp. His dummy out right and cut inside created enough space to score and, from the “wrong side” Noah Heward was successful from the tee.

Half time score was now 28-14 but the game was nowhere near over, thanks to somewhat suspect decision making in the second half.

Apart from a missed shot at goal by Stour, after just 4 minutes, Wharfedale dominated the start of the second half. It was then Stour’s turn to pick up Yellow Cards and these were issued to Stourbridge’s hooker, Jack Lea shortly followed by one to his replacement, Mike Worthington. This meant Stour were reduced to 13 for 8 minutes. This was followed by a Matt Speres unconverted try at the start of this period. However, the visitors failed to capitalize on any further numerical advantage. The questionable Yellow Card against Man of the Match Hal Riley seemed to be a turning point in the game, giving rise to 15 unanswered points through Trys by Joe Heatley and Dan Rundle (2).

Now on the front foot, and against the odds, Stourbridge players could smell victory Joe scored the first of these after Dan Rundle’s break through the centre. His clever pass to Noah Heward saw the young 15 cut inside then send a pass outside to Heatley’ support run. Another clever end over end kick by Callum Morris set up Rundle’s 2nd score where his chase and kick ahead gave clean air between himself, the defence and the Try Line!

74 minutes on the clock saw the return of Hal Riley and Stourbridge back to full strength for the first time in 22 minutes! In spite of a Wharfedale break, their knock on was seized upon when Callum Morris shot through the line of defence. The ball was recycled to the left and Dan Rundle secured his hatrick but too far out for the conversion. Enter the final whistle and a well deserved 5 point home win for Stour fans to savour.

This win maintains Stourbridge in 6th place within this highly competitive league. This is just one point behind Sedgley Park and Tynedale with next week’s game away at 14th place Huddersfield to look forward to.

Footnotes:
Penalty count on Saturday was about 3:1 against Stour.

The lack of any immediate crowd or player reaction suggests that at least one Yellow Card was somewhat harsh, to say the least.

For the 5th time, this season, our home fixture programme has a far from flattering front-page photo! Can somebody please speak to the editor to resolve this?

by Richard Stanley, photos by Ceri Davies