Stourbridge RFC 36 - 12 Chester RFC

THE persistent rain failed to dampen Stourbridge's winning mindset against a Chester team which won without conceding a point during their last encounter in March.

On three minutes the deadlock was broken by some rapid movement of the ball to find the reliable Rundle out left for a touch down but too far out for the conversion attempt to count.

Five minutes later Stour got another scoring opportunity after quick ball by eventually led to a Chester offside. A penalty line out catch and drive saw a determined scrum half Ben Tibbetts scoring and converted by Afeafe Haisila.

The next score also fell to the hosts following a clever kick through by Scott. At the breakdown a Chester player was penalised for being offside.

However Stour failed to capitalise and gifted a pressure-relieving penalty to Chester for sealing off the ruck. Persistence paid off on the 17 minute mark when Stour won yet another penalty, this time for an illegal high tackle.

Haisila stepped up to the tee and slotted a simple three points. Forward dominance was starting to tell and Stour managed to win a scrum penalty for “pulling down”.

Unfortunately lineout ball was lost through a knock on, shortly after roles were reversed with a penalty to Chester for a player coming in from side.

The lineout ball was quickly recycled for Chester number 11, Matt Crow to score in the right corner.

Too far out for the kick to go over the game restarted and a promising counter attack by Heatley was only thwarted by a last gasp forward pass into touch.

The lineout was not straight, Stourbridge regained possession and attacked down right. Chester were penalised twice more and yet another trademark lineout, catch and drive gave expectant dad Chad Thorne his first try of the season. Haisila converted on 37 minutes.

Chester counter attacked straight from the kick off but, opting to kick out of hand, they lost possession and Scott kicked ahead, from just outside the 22 m line.

Pressure grew on Chester, a clearance kick failed to make touch and was caught by Haisila whose counter-attack from outside the 22 m line gave him a well deserved score which Scott converted on 39 minutes to make the half time score 29-5.

The conditions began to take their toll, neither side were able to mount decisive attacks as the ball was getting very slippery and possession was being lost by both teams The third quarter seemed to favour Chester with some strong running by their backs and the first points of the half were eventually clocked up on 73 minutes when replacement Shaun Strudwick was released by a run from James Robins.

Liam McGovern added the extras.

Stour failed to capitalize on a series of penalties but eventually found touch for a lineout catch and drive.

The dominance of the Stour forwards led to an inevitable score to Stourbridge by Charlie Jeavons-Fellows.

Scott executed the conversion from out left and the final whistle blew for a home victory of 36 points to 12.