Stourbridge RFC win enthralling clash with Sedgley Park

After three consecutive defeats Stour were desperate for a win but they knew the visitors, who started the day two places higher in National league Two North, would provide a tough test.

Sedgley started brightly but Stour struck first after five minutes as Mark Harrison pounced on a dropped ball to run the length of the pitch for a try converted by Rick Aley.

The visitors hit back two minutes later, after winning a lineout Rob Holloway evaded tackles to score in the right corner and Steve Collins added the extras.

Sedgley Park continued to dominate, with much of the play in the Stour half but the visitors failed to cut through.

On 25 minutes Nigel Mukarati and Dan Rundle made ground for Stour and Jack Lea took advantage to crash over, again Aley converted.

Just after 30 minutes Sedgley's speedy Jamie Harrison found a way through with a charge from halfway for a converted try to level the scores.

Stour had the best of the latter stages of the first half and on the stroke of half time a clever cross-field kick from Aley found Harrison who scored in the corner to make the score at the break 19-14.

Stour conceded a soft try on 46 minutes after Liam Canning strolled in unopposed from five metres and Collins converted an easy kick.

The hosts appeared under pressure but the impressive Harrison steadied home nerves with his hat-trick try, which was converted by Aley but, again Sedgley Park responded with a Collins penalty score to close the gap to two points.

Although the Stour forwards had struggled to dominate during the game a catch and drive move put Jamie Seabrook in on the right for a converted try.

Sedgley Park hit back - Collins capitalised on a move he started with a clever up and under kick to score a try wide out after a flowing passing move.

However Stour proved strongest in the closing stages and a Chris Scott penalty with three minutes to go sealed the result with a final score of 36-29.