1st XV 41 - 23 Otley

Result:   Stourbridge 41 Otley 23

Half-Time:    Stourbridge 16 Otley 11 

Teams:

Stourbridge:

Jarvis (Richardson) Bressington, Billig, Cook, Hall, Petty, Pointon, Olver (Sturdy)  Gerry,  Tideswell (Rowlands) Hughes, Muldowney, White (Knight) Jordan, Jenner.

Otlery:

Dench (McCormack) Parsons, Buchanan, Whatmuff, Kitching, Shuttleworth, Easterby, Wederell (Trethewey) Steele (Sayers) Fullman, Snowball, Parr, Williams (Andre) Bland, Hyde.

Scorers:

Stourbridge: - Tries (4): Bressington 2, Hall, Olver. Con: Bressington 3. Pen: Bressington  3.                              Drop Goals: Petty 2.

Otley: - Tries (3): Hyde, McCormack,  Penalty try. Con: Kitching 1. Pen:  Kitching 2.

Match Report.

A bumper Stourton Park crowd witnessed a magnificent Stourbridge performance against league leaders Otley.  In the process of recording a 41 -23 victory the home side ran in four tries to secure the maximum five points for this thoroughly deserved win. Stourbridge opened the scoring in spectacular style six minutes into the game.  Jon Hall took a difficult ankle level pass and fed winger Tom Jarvis who broke down the right wing before finding Rod Petty, the four man move being completed when Ally Bressington crossed the try line, he also converted.  Otley came back strongly, and despite some good Stour defensive work, they opened their account in the 15^th minute. A catch and drive on the Stour 22 was originally held but number 8 Dan Hyde emerged from the melee to dart over. The half settled into a hard fought and evenly contested affair, although Otley saw more possession. 

The teams exchanged penalties before a strong break by Stourbridge centre Adam Billig set up a move that eventually led to the chance for Petty to drop a goal from 30 metres. Both teams set up promising moves but were unable to achieve any real penetration and convert the moves into points. Twice the chasing Stour backs just failed in kick and chase attempts. The home forwards had shown scant regard for the reputation of the visiting pack, as demonstrated when they drove them back to make significant gains on more than one occasion. The teams exchanged injury time penalties to bring up a close 16 -11 half time score, leaving the appreciative crowd to savour the prospect of a second half with all to play for.

Within a minute of the restart an Otley turnover was collected by Jenner to set up a move resulting in a long searching kick from Pointon, the bounce proved unlucky for Otley and chasing Stour full back, Jon Hall, picked up and dived over. Three minutes later Otley were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for second rower Howard Parr. From the resulting catch and drive the Stour pack, roared on by an enthusiastic crowd, pushed Otley backwards for a full 30m metres, resulting in a try for prop Adrian Olver. Ally Bressington then curled in a delightful conversion to suddenly open up a 17 point lead.

Otley’s response was to launch a furious wave of attacks on the home sides try line, remaining camped in the Stour 22 and recording two tries of their own in the next five minutes. The first came when Stourbridge were offside twice whilst Otley were pressing from five metres out, the referees response, to the derision of the home fans, was to award a penalty try. This was shortly followed by a second Otley try when a Stourbridge error led to an attack down the right wing and a try for David McCormack. Suddenly, with almost half an hour to play, the home side lead was down to five points and they were under heavy attack from the visitors. However, this was where the game was won, the Stourbridge defensive play was superb, and the forwards immense, as they frustrated Otley and began to turn the game.

The Stour pack were showing what they were capable of and rammed the point home when for the second time they pushed back the Otley pack a full 25 metres.  Although no score came from the drive this time, the point had been made, as the Otley pack were back to full strength but were comprehensively out muscled. Following another solid Stour drive Petty dropped his second goal of the day. Otley were still exerting periods of sustained pressure but tigerish defending by the resolute Stour defence ensured they did not add to their score. 

On 73 minutes an Otley attack broke down on the Stour 10 metre line and the ball was kicked clear by the defence and chased by winger Ally Bressington. The chase was on down the right wing with the fans in the stand were on their feet as his lightening burst of speed saw him leave opponents trailing in his wake. He kicked on a couple of times before picking up to dive over, following a run of about 80 metres. The bonus point had been won, the conversion was made, and the game now looked relatively safe at 38 – 23. Stourbridge added a final score with the last kick of the game, a penalty in the second minute of injury time.

This performance must rank as our best of the season and the scale of this victory was immense. Otley’s points difference of 606 – 283 gives them the league’s best attack and best defence. They have the least defeats of anyone, just two before today, and were on a 13 match winning streak. Only Manchester has secured a try bonus against them and no one has put more than 32 points past them.

However, more importantly than the stats, it moves us to within two points of Otley and keeps the pressure on third placed Manchester, with just four games to play (five for Manchester). Manchester’s game in hand is next week and should be a five point victory as they take on bottom of the table Halifax at home. Our crunch away game with them on March 29^th is a game that could decide the entire season.  A good level of away support will be crucial, we have a coach load of supporters already booked and a second coach is looking more likely by the minute. Please contact Sarah Garratt or Andy Trinham as soon as possible if you would like to be on the second coach.

Due to their recent injuries Stourbridge had a newish pairing at half back with Dan Pointon starting at scrum half and Rod Petty at fly. I am sure the missing players, who have contributed greatly to the success of the season so far, would have relished this challenge and it must be frustrating to be on the side lines, especially with an awful injury such as Barney’s.  I am sure we all send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Barney Eastwood, Sam Robinson and Dan Lavery.