STOURBRIDGE Lions, bruised after their loss at home to Camp Hill, went to local rivals Kidderminster determined to get back on track.

As ever the game ebbed and flowed between the local rivals, with the outcome uncertain right to the final whistle.

An uneven start by both sides led to a period of Lions pressure and fly half Ben Trinham slotted two penalties in the first quarter which was scant reward for their efforts. Back came Kidderminster and a series of driving runs and mauls took them to the Lions line and a resultant penalty by fly half Rhys Pritchard to reduce the arrears to 6-3.

Soon after another period of pressure ended with a smart blindside move by the home side with winger Arthur Morgan going over in the right corner. At the half the score remained 8-6 to the home side despite the Lions going close near the end.

The early part of the second half belonged to the Lions, with another try by right wing George Tildesley after a lineout, some driving by the forwards and a pass by Cass Brookes. The conversion by Trinham gave a 13-8 lead.

A KCs penalty by Pritchard reduced it to 13-11 and the Lions sustained severe pressure. However, solid and aggressive defence forced an interception on half-way after 20 minutes and centre Elliot Hopkin raced clear to score near the posts. Another Trinham conversion saw the Lions seemingly away at 20-11.

After a sending-off for Hopkin after a 22 drop-out by the home side, the 14 men had to hold out for 15 minutes against increasing home pressure, culminating in a try by KCs centre George Morgan, converted by Pritchard to reduce the deficit to 20-18 with around five minutes left.

Credit to the Lions, the remainder of the match took place in the home half and the away side came away with an essential and hard-earned victory.

This Saturday’s game against top of the table Leek (3pm kick-off at Stourton Park) now stands as perhaps the most crucial in the Lions’ history.

Win and the title and promotion beckons. Lose and although desperately disappointing, this would still represent the highest ever point for Lions rugby.

It was a disappointing day for the clubs other amateur sides as the Greyhounds lost their West Midlands Reserve league game at Bournville 2’s 5-27 whilst the Grasshoppers hosted Kidderminster 3rds and suffered a 5-29 defeat.