Stour’s big day ruined by ruthless Hinckley

HIGH-FLYING Hinckley took the gloss off Stourbridge celebrations as they officially opened their state-ofthe art artificial grass pitch.

A bumper Stourton Park crowd had gathered to witness proceedings presided over by former British & Irish Lion Peter Wheeler but Hinckley had not read the script and put a dampener on the day by romping to victory with an impressive five-try spree.

Both sides went into the game sharing top spot together with Tynedale.

But it was Hinckley who finished well on top to leave Stour without a win in their last four games.

The first half proved a battle of attrition as both sides tried to bulldoze their way through some dogged defending.

Just when it seemed the first half would finish pointless, Hinckley finally made the breakthrough right on the stroke of halftime when No.8 Alex Salt was driven over from a driving maul which scrumhalf Joe Glover converted.

Scolded by that score, Stour started the second half like a house on fire and pounded Hinckley's line.

They forced three successive five metre line-outs but could not create an opening as Hinckley’s defence held firm despite being reduced to 14 players when tighthead prop David Peck was yellow carded.

A wayward penalty shot from Worcester loanee Afeafe Haisila sailed wide and that gave Hinckley the opportunity to forge back upfield and increase the lead when second row Ben Marshall was shunted over from another maul, Glover kicking the extras.

Stour’s play became more frenetic and it came as no surprise when Hinckley scored a third try on 74 minutes when a series of pick up and drives resulted in winger Sam Driver forcing his way over for Glover to convert.

Stour heads started to drop as Hinckley secured the bonus point with a fourth try on 77 minutes when replacement centre George Marsden wriggled his way over for full-back Callum Dacey to kick the extras.

With the cause now well and truly lost, Hinckley hammered home their dominance with a fifth try, Dacey swooping to score from a kick ahead after Stour had again let slip possession, he duly converted.

Delighted Hinckley director of rugby George Chuter insisted: “It’s as well as we’ve played all season. It was a big day for Stourbridge and it was important that we didn’t go into our shells. Ironically I thought the turning point was the yellow card. Stourbridge put us under a lot of pressure during that period but we kept them out with 14 men.”

Dismayed Stour director of rugby Neil Mitchell admitted: “The better side won. Our set-piece went well and defensively we showed a great deal of resilience in the first half.

“But the try right at the end of the first half turned the game.

“I have no complaints about the outcome, Hinckley deserved the win. Eight times we broke into their 22, yet each time we came away empty-handed!”