Stourbridge 12, Ampthill and District 37

SPIRTED Stourbridge showed real glimpses of their true ability before eventually being battered into submission by league leaders Ampthill and District at Stourton Park.

After recent back-to-back victories quashed any fears that Stour might be dragged into a relegation scrap, they went into today's game, which was Director of Rugby Neil Mitchell's 300th at the helm, determined to show they are in a false position after an injury-hit season.

Few could have argued after a brilliant first half saw them lead 12-10 at the break.

The home side bagged the first try of the game in just the fifth minute when Ciaran Moore grounded against the post after a good spell of pressure. Caolan Ryan slotted the easy conversion to make it 7-0.

The score saw Stour waste no time to make their extra man count after Ampthill's Matt Burke saw yellow for a high tackle in the centre of the pitch two minutes before.

The visitors responded in fine fashion, however, and gave Stour a taste of what was to come when they finally battered their way over through Gareth Clarke on 12 minutes to cap off a high-phase attacking move.

Time and time again the Ampthill forwards attempted to smash their way through the home defence.

However, it was Stour that would score next to highlight just how well they had started the contest.

Ben Barkley went over on 17 minutes after being fed by Tom Jarvis in the left corner for a 12-5 lead.

Stourbridge were let off on 25 minutes when the ball was dropped before grounding when an Ampthill try looked certain after another period of pressure. But each time the visitors came forward they were well repelled by some strong defensive play.

By this stage Mitchell's men had the leaders rattled, highlighted when Maama Molatika found himself in the sin bin for dissent just before the half hour mark.

It would be Ampthill though that had the last say of the half.

Gary Dipper was penalised for not releasing in the tackle and the visitors had no hesitation kicking into the corner despite time running out.

A successful catch and drive saw the ball worked out short to Joseph Sproston who bundled his way over to cut the deficit to 12-10 at the break.

The table toppers wasted no time in eradicating Stour's lead after the restart.

They were straight on the attack and bagged their third try when Joseph Tarrant collected his own low kick ahead after just 42 minutes to give his side a 15-12 lead.

From here on Ampthill began bossing things up front and time and time again elected to bombard Stour in the contact areas.

The next breakthrough came on 48 minutes when a catch and drive from the visitors made almost 35 yards and resulted in Burke going over. Elliot Clements-Hill slotted the conversion to take the score to 22-12.

Despite intense pressure, it took Ampthill just under 20 minutes to turn their dominance into points.

This time Joseph Bercis burst through, again following line-out ball deep in host territory.

It was now one way traffic and the visitors ran in two more tries as Stour's rear-guard wavered under the pressure.

First Darrell Dyer powered in from the right wing after Piano Hehea intercepted a pass in the Stourbridge half.

Bercis then got his second of the match on 77 minutes after once more being shoved over by his tea-mates to make it 32-12 at the final whistle.

The defeat will leave mixed feelings for the Stourton Park faithful. Their performance in the first half showed the squad's true potential and gave hope they might somehow be able to challenge at the head of affairs next season.

However, the second half battering that followed left more questions and acted only to highlighted the work still needed to bridge the gap between Stour's current mid-table position and the league's promotion contenders.

Stourbridge: Jarvis, Cooksammy, Shillingford, Barkley, Dipple, Ryan, Handley, Sturdy, Garner, George, Moore, Hurrell, Mukarati, Uzoigwe, Harper.

Replacements: Lawrenson, Brookes, Tuipulotu, Hughes, Cullen.

Ampthill: Clements-Hill, Dyer, Burke, Goodge, Clarke, Tarrant, Williams, Sproston, Ma'asi, Collins, Hehea, Braband, Burke, Bercis, Molatika.

Replacements: Blosis, Wright, Bray, Duffin, Lavery.

Att: 340.