Stefan Thorp celebrated his 150th appearance with a fine performance as his team came out as Bonus Point winners in front of a large, somewhat chilly crowd and first home fixture of 2022.

With a slight wind advantage, Stour kicked off the first half and immediately won a penalty as Chester knocked on to a man in front. This was quickly followed by a second infringement , negated by a Stourbridge player penalised for ‘holding on’. The Chester kick failed to make touch and the ball was soon back inside Chester’s ’22. Fly half Mike Penn saw an opportunity out left and his long pass created space where Louis Mifsud was eagerly awaiting the final pass to touch down in the corner. Unfortunately, play was called back for an earlier infringement.

However, the crowd only had a 5-minute wait for the scoreboard to tick over as speedster, Tobi Wilson touched down, out left, for his first Try of the day. It followed territorial advantage and a lineout on the opposite side of the pitch. The ball was sent down the line and Mark Harrison flipped a high pass outside himself where Wilson was waiting to pounce. Skipper, Michael Heaneyadded the extras but this was to be his only success with the boot.

Stour continued to dominate proceedings with some good work by the centre pairing of Morgan and Riley. However, it was Chester who scored next when their Fly Half, Liam Reeve, took a simple penalty on the 14 minute mark and, basically, the first time his team had penetrated into the hosts’ ’22!

However, it took but 2 minutes for Stourbridge to respond when Mike Penn found some space for Hal Riley to burst through the line. His well timed pass to Afeafe Haisila gave the left winger space to dive over the line making the score 12-3. Nigel Mukarati added a third Try when he picked up the ball from a scrum penalty. Taking nothing away from his efforts but his task was made simpler given his opposite number, George Baxter was off the field with a Yellow card to his name.

The hosts secured their Try Bonus Point on the half hour mark as possession and territorial advantage began to tell. However, the Try followed Chester’s mistake as they lost the ball just inside the opposition’22. The ball was taken a full 40 metres before Heaney, in support and still with work to do, glided over out right. Unfortunately, his conversion attempt hit the right side upright but Stour had a comfortable lead at 22-3.

This was extended to 27-3 on the stroke of half time and shortly after Joe Heatley came on for an injured Arthur Morgan. Joe had missed the last 3 games following a finger operation and the lively centre replacement was fresh and keen to make an impact. His incisive 30 m break cut through the Chester defence and his pass released Mark Harrison where he touched down close to the corner flag. Referee Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts blew for half time and the host side had a well-deserved break leaving the visitors with a big task in front of them.

Whatever was said in the Visitors’ dressing room, looked to strike home with the players as Chester came out with all guns blazing and a lively, spirited performance created some major issues for Stour’s defence. Stour did have chances of their own with Heaney and Harrison combining well plus, unusually, Jack Lea was ‘held up’ over the line following a trademark lineout move.

It was only after 26 minutes of the second half before the scorer was troubled, again in favour of Stourbridge. Chester had been exerting pressure on Stour which was not helped by some host lineout issues. However, pressure was relieved when Michael Heaney made ground with a clever overhead kick. Chester failed to clear, and Heatley gathered the ball followed by a neat chip/chase play. Penn gathered the ball and set off for the Try line. Just as he was caught he made an excellent (some might say speculative) overhead pass where Tobi Wilson had followed in support and the young winger claimed his second Try of the day and, in effect wrapped up the game.

Or did it!? It would seem that nobody had told the Chester players or supporters of this, and their efforts were well rewarded with two converted Trys through Prop Wade Williams quick tap penalty and Right Wing Iwan Phillips following a ‘length of the pitch’ break out, courtesy of George Baxter. Liam Reeve added both conversions. Chester were desperate for a Try Bonus point but, unfortunately, time was against them and the final whistle came with the scoreboard showing 32-17 through the gloom.

Matters remain tight at the top of the league with just eight points separating the top five positions. It was only Rotherham, with a 17-17 draw at Bournville who failed to score 5 points on Saturday. This breakaway pack are 15 points clear of Hull Ionians who, in turn, are 10 points clear of 7th place Loughborough Students.

Next week, we travel to Corbridge playing against our old friends (and foes!) Tynedale so let us hope that the return to winning ways continues as the year progresses.