It’s just over 5 years since Harrogate last visited Stourton Park losing 18-12 with tries by Ashley Elvers and Joe Bridger plus a conversion and two penalties via the boot of Luke White. However, ‘gate did have the bragging rights when we played them in January 2017 at their new ground where they pipped us by 19-12. Notwithstanding that result, 13th place was not enough to save them from relegation in a season that saw Caldy, and Sale promoted to National League 1.

Someone may correct this but, from memory the Stour side included seven of today’s players. The backs included Dan Rundle with Chad Thorne, Jack Lea Stef Thorpe, Mark George, Nick Murphy, and Ciaran Moore in the forwards! Moore makes a welcomed return following his ‘walkabout’ in the Championship and National League 1.

Following a very moist morning, the weather cleared a little but could still be classed as blustery, with the main direction being cross field for much of the match.

From the host’s perspective, the game did not start well as the Harrogate kick off was allowed to bounce into touch, just outside the 5-metre mark. The seasonal trend of uncertain lineout possession – and evident throughout the match - meant the visitors secured the ball and it was only a subsequent penalty that relieved the pressure. Arthur Morgan made the first of many telling breaks, only to be hauled down before any serious damage was sustained by the visitors.

However, a Dan Rundle break put them on the back foot and the prodigal son, aka Ciaran Moore picked up from the resulting maul melee making the most of a disjointed defence and touched down with just 7 minutes on the clock. Freddie Morgan added the extras, and it was 7-0 with seven minutes gone. Harrogate hit back almost immediately when a Stour player was caught holding on in the tackle and No 10 Rory Macnab slotted over a simple penalty.

This was to be his side’s only score of the half as Stourbridge ran in 4 more tries, including one almost straight from the restart. Stour responded to the kick-off through Mike Penn and a loose ball was then pounced on by the hungry centre, Arthur Morgan. His score enabled relative (by marriage) Freddie Morgan to hit another 2-point conversion. Within minutes Ciaran Moore’s mid-field break managed to find Matt Moseley who scampered through to score his first of the day and the second conversion for Freddie Morgan (no relation).

At 21-3 with just 19 minutes on the clock, Stour were gaining in confidence. After a threatening restart, Harrogate sent a raking kick into Stour’s half only to find Mike Penn who released Matt Moseley into centre field. His silky running defied the defence and a final pass to Moore meant the prodigal son secured a bonus point try on 25 minutes. Fred Morgan (no relation) just shaved the far-right post with his conversion attempt. By this time, Jack Lea had replaced an injured Bradley Clements and the fresh legs took the stocky sub several yards before being tackled. His last-minute pass found Arthur Morgan (no relation) for his 2nd Try.

The first half ended 7 minutes later with no further reward despite the gains of 50 metre Moore and 50 metre Morgan breaks. Half time score 31-3.

The hosts restarted the 2nd half with no particular wind advantage but with a reasonable cushion and high hopes of more scores. A further lineout loss gave momentum for the Harrogate forwards to attack seeing a great pick and go through the middle of a ruck. The Stour defence held firm, followed by a Rundle/Moseley combination break only to run out of space. However, on 47 minutes Jack Lea took a quick tap penalty and nobody was going to stop him crashing over from 5 metres out!

This was followed by another Harrogate restart, Stour losing the ball as it was ‘stripped’ away. In an attempt to use quick ball, a hapless Harrogate hand tried to pass to the backs, but nobody saw Ciaran Moore as he broke through, gathering the ball, mid-air and galloping 50 metres, outstripping the whole defence. Freddie Morgan added the conversion and play restarted. Bizarrely, in an almost identical passage of play, up popped the ball, out came Ciaran and another interception. Add a 35 metres dash and the No 8 had stretched the lead by a further five points! The conversion was not to be, as the strong wind blew the ball off the kicking tee leaving Master F Morgan no alternative but gather it up and drop kick straight at the oncoming Harrogate hoards. The score was now 48-3 with 53 minutes gone but the scoreboard soon changed as the visitors hit back through their full back, Harry Yates and a Macnab conversion.

Moore added his 5th, five minutes later after Rhys Pritchard thwarted an attack with some good work over the ball followed by Rundle and Mike Penn combining to put pressure on, as ‘gate were forced to touch down behind their own try line. Unfortunately, their drop out did not make 5 metres and Stour were awarded a scrum. The No 8 picked the ball up at the base, charging over and, in the process guaranteeing his Man of the Match title and Freddie Morgan a simple kick.

Dan Rundle was next on the score sheet as Rhys Pritchard showed his class, breaking through the defence and feeding the hungry winger on 65 minutes. Harrogate hit back straight from the restart, courtesy of a converted try from Jacob Perceval kicked by Macnab.

With 12 minutes of game time remaining and a healthy 60-17 lead, Stour were still not done in the provision of entertainment at Stourton Park. Matt Moseley completing his hattrick in fine style, the first following a kick through and him just getting the bounce of the ball ahead of the debutant Dallas Ororo and replacement Scrum Half, Michael Heaney hit the conversion.

Following the restart, Moseley was involved twice in a superb break into enemy territory just being hauled down as the crowd thought he was clear. However, it wasn’t long before he was in possession and his silky running took him over, again for Heaney to convert.

The visitors appear to be struggling again, at this level, having already seen three promotions and two relegations this millennium! They are now down to 16th place below Blaydon whom they have defeated twice, and their only other victory was against Tynedale, 21-38 at Corbridge. Last week they lost 0-21 to Luctonians whilst next game is against league leaders Hull! We wish them well for remainder of the season and a safe 150-mile return trip braving the tail of Storm Eunice.