Stourbridge embarked on this 7 hour round trip journey knowing that a win was vital to secure their return to the top half of the table and kick start the second half of another tough campaign! The home fixture on 21st September was a close but dour game that saw Hull go away with a 14 – 19 win where both sides scored 2 Tries apiece (Jack Lea and Dan Rundle for Stour).

The form book very much favoured the hosts whose last loss was on 16th November (24-27 to Sedgley Park) that, coincidentally, was the last time Stour had recorded a victory. Fortunately, the immaculate and well manicured pitch at LTS Leisure Ferens Ground suited the visitors in terms of condition and the weather was cool but sunny with cloudless blue skies.

Stour kicked off proceedings with a strong wind advantage and with the sun at their backs but Hull immediately countered and spent the next few minutes attacking the visitor’s line. However, very much against the run of play, Stour found themselves on the front foot when Dan Rundle latched on to a kick through touching down for a 0-5 lead. Eight minutes later, Callum Morris slotted a simple penalty to extend the lead to 0-8 but a cautious Hull captain opted to reduce the difference when Humberstone kicked a penalty almost from the restart and the score remained at 3-8 until half time.

In all fairness, Hull and their strong running forwards, were dominating much of the game but Stour’s defence was resolute and Callum Morris was taking every opportunity to utilise limited possession by pinning back the hosts with some clever tactical kicking. Throughout the game, Sam Montieri, Stef Thorp and Jack Lea were posing questions in attack and defence, complimented by George Morgan and Joe Heatley. From Full Back, Mark Harrison found some space to demonstrate his speedy, elusive running, Afe Lokotui was strong in his new position at Fly half and Reece Beddows was also looking dangerous!

Hull restarted the second half, obtaining wind and sun advantage but when Sam Montieri was taken out in the air, followed by a second penalty incident, Stour were soon camped on Hull’s 5-metre line out right. Possession was retained and Mark Harrison with Joe Heatley threated a score but play was halted short. Scrum Half Morris gathered the ball at a ruck base, feigned a dummy and crashed over with 4 minutes played.

In a repeat of the previous start, Montieri was taken out in the air, Stour were on the front foot courtesy of Morris and Harrison with a well-deserved scrum penalty, 5 metres out. The ball was recycled back to Jack Lea and, in his trademark posture, he crashed through the defence notching up Stour’s 3rd Try and a 3-18 lead.

Brimming with confidence and the freedom of a fast pitch, Stour struck again, straight from the kick off. Montieri broke from the back of the first scrum, the ball found Joe Heatley who broke the defensive line and popped a neat pass to Dan Rundle on the left wing. Still with work to do, the speedy winger was able to find a bit of space from 25 meters out and with Callum Morris hitting the conversion, Stourbridge were now 3-25 to the good with 57 minutes on the clock!

In spite of some threats by Morris and Afe Lokotui, the next 20 minutes were dominated by the hosts following a penalty lineout which led to an Alex Heard converted Try on 69 minutes. Immediately from the kick off, Stourbridge lost their own lineout and Hull were awarded a penalty on the opposite side of the pitch whilst Stour lost a player through the referee’s Yellow Card pocket! This provided an opportunity for Blindside Flanker, Tom O’Donnell, to crash over from the resulting lineout for a 15-25 score line.

Left wing Flockhart kicked a 75th minute penalty to ensure a losing bonus point but this was a direct result of Stour getting a second Yellow Card and now down to 13 players with five minutes remaining. The restart kick was sent deep into Hull territory and the retort was strong and direct. The visitors held out and an exhausted team celebrated an excellent and well deserved bonus point victory to avenge the previous encounter.

This win took Stourbridge to mid table by leap frogging their hosts whilst nearest rivals Wharfedale lost and next week’s visitors Otley secured a vital win over Tynedale!