Stourbridge get themselves back on track
Stourbridge returned to their winning ways in National Two North after a tough few weeks.
The squad's 29-25 victory over Huddersfield came after Stourbridge suffered three losses on the trot.
Yet they continued to play close to the wire, securing their winning lead with barely 10 minutes of play left.
Despite centre Chris Bell's penalty putting Huddersfield into an early lead, a converted try for second row Nick Rhodes was cancelled out by Stourbridge flanker Nigel Mukarati's score.
That did not stop Bell from extending the lead to 16-7 with two further penalties.
Outside-half Chris Scott made a return from injury, bagging two penalties and the crucial touchline conversion of scrum-half Toby Handley's short-range try.
Bell hit back with a further penalty for the visitors, but the game was sealed with Handley's second try.
In National Three Midlands, Old Halesonians continued their winning streak with an 45-26 victory against Sutton Coldfield – they welcome Birmingham and Solihull next.
Meanwhile, Lichfield lost out 28-7 to Syston. Walsall – who host Stoke-on-Trent next – continue to struggle in Midlands One.
They fell to their third successive Midlands One loss against Silhillians, while Dudley Kingswinford suffered a 24-15 defeat to fifth-placed Burton.
In Midlands Two, Kidderminster Carolians secured a 67-3 win against rock-bottom Harborne.
Despite noticeable absences from the squad, they dominated the game from the get go, leading to a hat-trick of tries apiece from George Morgan and Joe Kingstone.
Rich Sollom, Sam Faulkner, Chris Pinner, Freddie Morgan and Steve Price also crossed the whitewash, while Pinner added six conversions.
Meanwhile, Stourbridge Lions gained a narrow 26-21 victory over Shrewsbury.
In the Midlands Three, Wednesbury took a beating from Aston Old Edwardians in a game that they should have won in the second half.
They were slow getting into the game and were well behind just 10 minutes in with the home side's tries a result of poor tackling.
Wednesbury gave away a penalty and a third try from the home side saw them lead 24-0.
The second-half saw a vast improvement with Wednesbury dominating the home side; twenty minutes in saw winger Aaron Harris secure their first try.
Another blow to the squad came with the loss of Alex Love, who had to leave the field after receiving a boot in his eye and was taken to hospital.
Wednesbury play second-placed Ludlow next.
Burntwood fell to their fourth loss against Cleobury Mortimer and eighth-placed Willenhall lost out 43-18 to Newcastle (Staffs).
In Midlands Four, second-from-bottom Aldridge lost 32-16 to Church Stretton and Rugeley suffered a 21-10 defeat to leaders Uttoxeter.
Cannock fell to their third consecutive away defeat in the National Premier Division.
