NEIL Mitchell was unhappy with the performance of the referee after Stourbridge slumped to a 12-9 defeat at Sandal last Saturday.

The National Two North newcomers were awarded three penalties inside the opening ten minutes which gave them a 9-0 lead, and the visitors never recovered.

Director of rugby Mitchell said he felt some of the decisions at key times were “harsh”.

“I wasn’t happy with some of the decisions and I have raised the matter with the RFU,” he said.

“The game was very disjointed but we were heavily penalised and this is two sides who last week played expansive rugby and scored three and four tries respectively — but all we got were errors and penalties.

“I understand there has been a directive which the referees have to follow regarding safety and avoiding serious injuries, which we all support. They are looking at lineouts and high tackles.

“But it couldn’t have been enjoyable for anyone watching because I don’t think we went two phases of play before the whistle went.

“I don’t often criticise the man in the middle — some of the decisions were correct — but some at key times were very harsh.”

Mitchell believed that defeat may be a blessing in disguise.

“I’m glad it happened in a way.

We have been brought down to earth a bit without it being a hammering. It isn’t the end of the world and it has given us things to talk about and work on.

“We have a side which is probably 85 per cent new and maybe some were believing our own press.

“We will face some tough away days at places like Harrogate and Otley, also strong Rugby League areas, and we can’t just be a good home side, we have to do it away as well.”

Ahead of Saturday’s visit of Caldy, Mitchell added: “We don’t really have any injuries from last weekend, other than perhaps a bit of pride.”