Preston’s last win was on 4th January when they defeated Scunthorpe 30 – 7 since which time they have only managed one draw and 3 losses. This leaves them in 15th place and likely to drop out of the National Leagues along with Scunthorpe. However, the third team to drop is still to be decided with Otley, Luctonians, and Huddersfield all in the mix. Stour remain in 6th place but still with some tough games ahead including Wharfedale and Tynedale who are lurking in 7th and 8th places just 5 or 6 ponts adrift.

Weather wise, it was the calm before the storm (Ciara) with blue skies yet a very strong wind. It was the visitors who started well but lost the ball inside Stour’s 22 and finding the boot of Callum Morris. His chip down the left wing was followed by Dan Rundle who outpaced the defence and took a tricky pick up to crash over the line for a Try, well converted by Sam Wilson. In the process, the ‘Hoppers Hooker pulled up with a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for the remainder of the match!

Stour made hard work of the next 20 minutes, spending most of the time inside the visitors’ half yet coming away empty handed. Matt Perks and James Rodley were causing problems in loose and set piece play but a number of knock on’s, loose passes and penalty infringements meant that the scoreboard was unmoved. However, Stour did use scrum dominance to regain the momentum after two quick penalties were gained just 5 metres from the ‘Hoppers’ line. No 8 Nigel Mukarati gathered from the base and fed the ball to Morris. His break out to the right was followed by change of direction as he cut inside a capacious gap scoring on the 26 minute mark followed by Chris Scott’s conversion and a 14-0 lead.

The next score was not to be for another 11 minutes as mistakes by both teams kept the ball in midfield. The deadlock was broken when Joe Collingham wrestled the ball free from a ‘Hoppers attack and the ball was sent through the hands into the path of Josh Trinham who sprinted over the line to score deep in the corner. Scott was unable to convert but had a second chance less than a minute later as Trinham score his 2nd Try. This followed some excellent work by Jack Lea. The half time whistled sounded as Scott’s difficult kick sailed over and the hosts had secured the Try Bonus Point and a 26-0 lead.

Preston kicked off the second half, with wind advantage and managed to capitalize on some Stour shortcomings. From their own ’22 metre line they attacked through some elusive running combined with slick inter passing and poor defence. The result was a nicely worked Try from Right Winger Tyler Spence but Scrum Half Jake Squirrell was unable to add the extras.

Jack Lea was next to get his name on the score sheet after some territorial gains courtesy of a Callum Morris tap penalty. The resulting maul was deemed to have been ‘held up’ over the line. A scrum penalty produced another series of pick and go plays with the inevitable outcome courtesy of “Bowling Ball” and a Scott conversion. Soon after this, Stour lost some impetus and advantage as a ‘Hoppers injury hailed uncontested scrums with only 57 minutes played. Despite being down to 14 players, Preston played some determined rugby and thwarted a Stour attack followed up by a clever kick down centre field. The defender was isolated having allowed an awkward bounce of the ball. The visitors regained possession and allowed Centre, Sam Stott to score which Squirrell converted for a slightly more respectable 33-12 scoreline.

However, straight from the kick off Stour won a scrum and the ball was sent out left where Rundle was waiting to pounce. Still with plenty of work to do, the speedster took a fine pass from Mark Harrison some 40 metres out. He then managed to elude the defence by cutting inside for his second Try of the afternoon but too far out for the conversion.

Rundle’s third (and 27th of the season!) came after the Preston restart and a kick that none of the Stour players seemed to notice! Notwithstanding, the hosts managed to gather the ball, which was sent to the left but dangerously close to their own Try line. However, as it passed the 5 m line it went to Rundle who sprinted past his opposite number leaving several players, the AR and referee in his wake. His left fist salute was possibly premature and a touch pretentious but perfectly safe with players stranded well behind him. Sam Wilson hit the conversion making the score 45-12 with just shy of 15 minutes remaining on the clock.

Passages of play then returned to what can only be described as mediocrity with a mood lightened by three incidents. Firstly, a large silver moon appeared over the horizon, seemingly ascending from the Forresters car park. Secondly, our erstwhile coach asked the timekeeper if he had the ability to accelerate time in a rather surreal Dr Emmett Brown/Marty McFly moment.

Thirdly, a Joe Heatley break took Stour into the visitors half where a clearance kick rebounded. The entire population of Stour’s Technical Area then shouted “NO” as the ball was returned over the top by a very speculative chip. This negative comment was then turned into a rapturous positive as the hands of Arthur Morgan shot out to catch the ball where pace and momentum sent him racing over the line for Stour’s eighth Try of the afternoon and their second half century of the month. Sam Wilson slotted his 3rd conversion and referee Llyr Apgeraint-Roberts blew for full time.

Next week (weather permitting) will be a tough fixture up in the picturesque Yorkshire countryside when we face 8th place Wharfedale. Home advantage is always a problem with the Dales men capitalizing on their intimate knowledge of slope, wind and bounce of the ball! Tynedale make the difficult to Huddersfield but even if the results go against us, Stourbridge are likely to remain in 6th place. However, if Loughborough lose away to Sedgley Park……………………….!!