The second encounter of the season between these two local rivals was not the Try festival as witnessed at Mortimer Park on a sunny September Saturday. Instead, the somewhat noisy and boisterous crowd witnessed some determined defending by both teams but with the visitors scoring two converted Trys which, in all fairness, were very much against the run of play!

Also worthy of note is the fact that there were 10 changes to the Lucs squad compared with Stourbridge who had just 4 different names appearing. Still dogged with injuries and unavailability’s the hosts needed to shore up the squad to include the evergreen Adam Sturdy plus an injured Jack Samuel.

The hosts kicked off proceedings and showed some promising play and could have scored after just 4 minutes had it not been for a final stray ball out left. Matt Perks had a Try disallowed but this was followed by a strong scrum and push over score, between the posts, with Joe Collingham the grateful recipient. Chris Scott’s conversion was charged down but Stourbridge were ahead with just 11 minutes of play.

Luctonians Full Back, John Morris missed a 15th minute penalty from some 40 metres out but his second kick was more successful. Further forays were repelled by Stour including a crunching tackle by Stef Thorp. Subsequent play returned possession to the visitors who were intent on pinning Stourbridge back inside their ‘22’. Stour were awarded a scrum penalty but, this time, a quick tap and go failed to secure any territory and the ball was stolen by Lucs. Another clever kick to the corner was rewarded with a 5-metre scrum after the ball was taken back over the Try Line by a Stourbridge defender. Clean possession and a well-angled run saw Centre, Lewis with the ball and a clear view of the line. Morris hit a simple conversion.

The score remained on 5 – 7 until half time in spite of some strong running by George Morgan, after cousin Hal Riley was involved in a nasty collision and had to leave the pitch. Stour also had another Try disallowed when obstruction was called by referee Iain Kiy just before half time. Lucs cleared their line to touch and were able to secure the lineout before Scrum Half Owen Randell hoofed the ball into touch.

Luctonians kicked off the second half but it was Stour who made the better start. However, a strong break was called back following a double movement in the tackle and Lucs penalty kick sent the hosts back inside their own ‘22’. Sam Montieri and Nigel Mukarati were putting in some good work and between them managed to regain territorial advantage and a penalty lineout 10 minutes into the half. The ball was shifted straight through the hands of Dan Rundle and Mark Harrison to the rapid Reece Beddows who finished with a Try in the right corner but too far out for Scott to convert.

George Morgan was proving to be a handful but in spite of his efforts, Stourbridge found themselves on the back foot. Two penalties and well disciplined driving mauls sent Luctonians from their own’22’ to deep inside Stour territory. A 3rd penalty was the cue for referee Kiy to hand out a ‘team’ Yellow Card to Sam Montieri on 68 minutes. This was followed by Hooker Callum Young crashing over for a well-deserved Try, again converted by John Morris.

The remainder of the game went scoreless but Stour were unfortunate in not being able to convert some pressure, following a lineout steal and 79th minute penalty. The latter catch and drive lineout was deemed to have been ‘held in’ and in spite of the hosts set piece scrum dominating, the time had now ebbed away and the final whistle blew!

The result left Luctonians in 13th place but Stour drop down to 11th albeit with a five-point cushion between the two sides and Wharfedale.

Stourbridge need to regroup over the next 2 weeks before they face a long away trip to Hull on 4th January. Hopefully, rest and time for reflection will be sufficient to heal the injured, halt a run of five consecutive losses and kick start the New Year, giving the Stourton Park faithful some well needed cheer and optimism.