Stour chief unsatisfied despite win (From Dudley News)

Stour chief unsatisfied despite win

2:00pm Thursday 20th September 2012 in Stourbridge RFC

HARD-to-please Stourbridge director of rugby Neil Mitchell believes his side should have beaten Huddersfield by a much bigger margin than the 33-7 scoreline they achieved last Saturday.

Stour’s pre-match preparations went up in smoke when they got stuck in a dreadful traffic jam two miles away from Huddersfield’s ground.

It meant Stour didn’t arrive at their destination until 15 minutes before the kick-off.

Mitchell said: “We would have been better off walking!"

The Saxons chief was also miffed that Huddersfield managed to put some points on the board at all. He added: “Their only score arrived following an error of communication after three of our replacements had gone onto the pitch at the same time.”

However, the Saxons responded with tries from number eight Drew Harper, Nathan Bressington, Gary Dipple, impressive centre Will Hurrell and flanker Nigel Mukarati, who raced over half the length of the pitch to score in majestic style.

The seven points which the Saxons conceded has now taken their points against column to 22 in three games.

Mitchell said: “It’s all about mind games. We want to get a reputation as a side who don’t concede points in this league.”

The director of rugby puts this season’s transformation in form down to better planning.

He said: “Everything that could go wrong last season, went wrong and I take full responsibility for that.

“We were plagued by injuries to the point where I could never field the same side twice.

“We never had any depth and that is something I have worked upon for this season.

“Now we have real depth and when the holes start to appear, we can fill them.

“It’s a case of getting the basics right and then the rest fits into place”.

The Saxons have introduced a second XI this season.

Mitchell said: “I’ve got a squad of up to 35 players.

“For those who aren’t playing, they have nowhere to go and they will start to drift away.

“It’s important that we keep the pressure on the people who are playing and that where the second XV comes in.”

The seconds had their first outing this week, which resulted in a 38-0 defeat to Hartpury College.

Mitchell insisted the result was immaterial.

He said: “The players we had under scrutiny played well!

Stourbridge host Stockport this Saturday at Stourton Park (3pm) when Mitchell will be looking for another big performance from his side.

Struggling Stockport have lost all three of their National Two North games so far this season, conceding 98 points into the bargain.

Mitchell expects his side to capitalise on that and cause some serious damage.

With no major injury worries, Mitchell has virtually a full squad to select but may rotate his players.