Stour move up to 3rd place following a Bonus Point win against a strong Loughborough Students side. This was helped by a narrow victory for Fylde who beat fellow title contenders, Rotherham 21-17 but only down to a 3-0 kicking penalty count! The Bournville/Sedgley Park game was also postponed meaning Sedge’ are two points behind Stour with both sides having played 17 games!

If it wasn’t for a strong wind and a low, bright sun, conditions would have been perfect, but it was the hosts who made full use of the blustery conditions. However, a long raking kick from Stour was carried over the dead ball line and the Students were awarded the scrum back inside enemy territory. The ball was sent out to the right wing where the powerful Sam O’Leary-Blade was waiting and his inside pass sent No 7, Fergus Dick clear to score with just 2 minutes on the clock.

This was an ominous start, but the hosts soon settled into the game putting together multi-phase plays which were to be the patterns for most of the first half. Indeed, the score could have been a lot greater had it not been for a series of last-ditch errors involving knock on handling, forward passing, and running out of players and pitch! Some delightful playmaking combining Nigel Mukarati and Jack Lea punched some great holes in the opposition’s defence enabling team mates to maintain possession and front foot advantage. The first of these came after nine minutes when Man of the Match, Mark George, fed the ball out left for Full Back Tomas Bacon to score in the corner.

Two minutes later, Stour stretched their lead after winning a penalty and resultant lineout. The ball was fed to Dan Rundle whose pace across the pitch created the time and space for him to then straighten with some 40 metres to the Try Line. The defence managed to stretch out but his pace and momentum were enough to get him stumbling across the line. This was close enough for skipper, Michael Heaney to add the conversion for a 12-5 lead with 14 minutes gone.

The next score came soon after following Mukarati securing a penalty for a Student not releasing in the tackle. Another penalty lineout ensued, and the ball was whipped away, down the line to Rundle. Running out of space, he passed inside to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Apologies to Immanuel but, hereafter can I refer to you as your teammates do? Manny) and whose strength and speed took him over the line. Heaney added a very difficult conversion attempt making the score 19-5 and 16 minutes gone!

The hapless Students were then immediately on the back foot after their restart kick went dead giving Stourbridge a scrum on the halfway line. As with most of the afternoon, a strong scrum advantage ensured clean possession, but the resulting chip and chase was just too far for Rundle to capitalise on. Enter Jack Lea, again who made some 30 metres with his break, through the middle of the defence. A penalty followed giving Hal Riley a chance to show his running and passing skills which put Mike Penn for the Bonus Point Try on 20 minutes and making it 24-5.

This was soon to be 31-5 as Tomas Bacon scored his second Try, two minutes later. The ball was sent out left through a glorious pass by Mike Worthington which floated out to Stef Thorp and on to Bacon. The ball was ‘hoofed’ on, and his pace and skill were enough to regather an awkward bounce, crash over and score. Unfortunately, this was to be his last action following an ankle injury sustained in the tackle. Heaney added the extras.

Loughborough soon hit back notwithstanding centre James Langston leaving the pitch with a HIA. Following another powerful run by the right-wing man, the ball arrived in the hands of his opposite teammate and some clever running meant that Samuel Kildunne eluded the defence for a converted score (Thomas Smith) on the half hour mark.

The remainder of the half saw most of the play inside the visitors’ half with Jack Lea, once again, on the charge linking nicely with Stef Thorpe who was unlucky not to score after a strong run of his own. However, their efforts were not wasted as Manny managed his second score on 36 minutes. It was to remain 36-12 for the remainder of the half. TRP awarded Man of the Match to Hal Riley which was probably a fair call given the powerful centres involvement in some excellent running and bone-crunching tackles that gave many of the 435 strong crowd reason to cringe and “oooh! Ouch!” about!

All in all, this was a brilliant performance from a side that had little opportunity to play together as a team. Afeafe Haisila had to pull out following an injury sustained in the warm up. Tight head prop, Mark George played as blind side flanker whilst Mike Worthington, normally a hooker, played open side. Chad Thorne, just back from a long-term injury, had a good game and youngsters, Jess Smith and Ben “Sully” O’Sullivan proved their collective second-row worth with skills, strength and athleticism.

Stour restarted the second half with the sun behind them which may be why the visitors allowed the kick to bounce into touch. They were able to secure lineout ball, but the clearance kick wasn’t enough and failed to make touch. Manny was able to gather the ball and feed replacement Full Back, Tobi Wilson just outside Stour’s ’22 line. Quite possibly the Try of the day, Tobi ran three quarters the length of the pitch for a magnificent score, less than 2 minutes into the half!

Loughborough then started to play some great rugby over their own and capitalising on some Stourbridge unforced errors. Playing inside their host’s half, for a change, they managed to set Fly Half Tom Smith clear, and the elusive runner threw an outrageous dummy to clear his path over the line and close enough to convert his own Try!

The next 30 minutes went without score but both sides had their chances including strong running by the fresh legs of Arthur Morgan and the speed of Dan Rundle. However, it was Student’s Full Back, Alex Wainwright who succeeded to break the stalemate after the visitors had secured a number of penalties, scoring a well-deserved Bonus Point Try which went unconverted. However, the final say went to Stourbridge and another Dan Rundle trademark effort as he scorched down the wing after the hosts had gathered some loose ball. His pace and strength took him through and beyond the Student’s defence, scoring the twelfth try of the afternoon.

46-24 was probably a fair reflection of the afternoon’s efforts from both sides and the crowd was treated to 80 minutes of skills, strength and excitement. Next week, we entertain fellow title contenders Rotherham in this Covid affected fixture from early October 2021! Currently in 5th place, they are just 4 points behind Stour and have a game in hand. This could be a season defining match so we need as much support as we can get!