Double injury blow hits Stour

Stourbridge's promotion hopes have been dealt a shattering blow with two star players ruled out for the season.

The National Two side, currently sitting in second place and eyeing promotion, will have to make do without Sam Robinson and Mark Eastwood for the rest of the season after both suffered freak injuries on Saturday.

Fly-half Robinson and centre Eastwood collided within the first minute of Stourbridge's home league clash with Westcombe Park and the former Worcester man suffered a double fracture of his leg.

Sixways academy starlet Robinson is awaiting results on his injury but he will not play again this season after ligament damage to his knee.

"It's a severe blow," admitted director of rugby Neil Mitchell.

Mitchell will not, however, be dipping into the loan market to fill the gap.

"I don't want to go down the loan route and we have confidence in the squad here," he added.

Despite the setback of losing the duo in that first minute against Westcombe, Mitchell's side went on to claim a bonus point win over the Kent side in a 32-13 victory.

Duncan White's converted try and Alastair Bressington's couple of penalties gave Stourbridge a 13-7 lead at the break. Then, Jon Hall and Adam Billig went over in the second period and prop Chris Rowland added the bonus point try.

And, with them facing bottom team Halifax at the weekend, it gives Mitchell the chance to look again at his half-back options.

"We will look at a new half-back pairing at Halifax," he said.

"Dan Pointon and Dan Lavery have been playing for Loughborough Students and I've liked what I've seen so we will have a look at them.

"That's not to say that we are taking Halifax lightly. It's going to be a tough game."