It was 20 minutes before there was a score on the board and it was the away team that secured the 7 points. Five minutes later it looked like swift-footed winger Luke Penn was in for the Lions’ 1st try of the game, however he was tackled in to touch by the DK 15. Stourbridge managed to capitalise on a line out turnover, keeping possession, and drawing the DK players in before sending the ball out wide to George Tildesley. His sharp sidestep just inside the sideline caught out the scrum half and the winger who were left watching Tildesley score from off the pitch. With 5 minutes remaining in the 1st half DK increased their lead to 5-14 with a try under the posts.

The second half couldn’t have started better for DK who scored in the first 2 minutes to pull further away from the Lions. It looked promising for the home side that they were going to close the gap immediately, especially when the DK scrum half was yellow carded for a couple of high tackles, when Stourbridge were in their 22. DK won the lineout though and managed to clear the ball. Despite a long period of possession for the Lions they failed to penetrate DK’s defence and it was actually the latter that scored next (twice) making it 5-33. Stour scored their 2nd try after Alex Jones made an impressive run before Matthew Poole powered over the line, supported by Fred Brookes and Cameron Simpson. With the last play of the game Elliot Hopkin, despite being tackled 5m from the line, managed to slide in to the corner for Stour’s third try of the game and Tom Mitchell successfully converted a difficult kick to make the final score 19-33.

Despite a loss and no points from the fixture, results elsewhere mean Stourbridge Lions’ place in the league for next season is secured and they can enjoy their final game against Hereford next week.

Match report and pics by Sian Davies