A STRONG Stourbridge finish secured a comfortable win against South Leicester which did not look likely for much of the game.

With even Stour’s director of rugby Neil Mitchell conceding the season contains no realistic hope of promotion there was a danger his side’s performances would stagnate.

South Leicester provided a tough challenge and for much of the match were equal to Stour, who again were dogged by unforced errors and poor passing.

Leicester took the lead with a penalty from Rickie Aley on three minutes but a try from Mark George and the conversion from Chris Scott on 11 minutes put the hosts in front.

Another Aley penalty reduced the deficit to a point before a try for Rob Forbes restored Stour’s lead.

Aley added another penalty on 22 minutes and the visitors began to take charge, exploiting poor Stour defence and an unusually shaky scrum.

The pressure paid off when, on 35 minutes, referee Andrew Macneaney lost patience with Stour and awarded a penalty try to South Leicester for repeated scrum offences.

Stour responded on the stroke of half time with a Stef Thorp try after a speedy break from winger Josh Trinham to make the score at the break 17-16.

More sloppy scrummaging from Stour cost a penalty which Aley slotted home but just minutes later the tables were turned and Leicester were penalised, Scott secured three points to give his side a one-point lead.

Perhaps the try of the game followed, clever grubber kicks were chased down by Leicester’s Myles Bean who ran through the defence to score, Aley added the extras.

A Scott penalty brought Stour within three points and they began to assert themselves up front.

On 69 minutes and Jack Lea bulldozed over for a try following pressure from a line out, Scott converted.

More sustained pressure saw Nigel Mukarati pass the ball out to Hal Riley who ran a great line through to touchdown, again Scott did the rest with the last kick of the match to make the final score 37-26.