Wharfedale 30 Stourbridge 23

Dec 4 2006

HEAVILY depleted Stourbridge suffered their second successive National League Two defeat at Yorkshire side Wharfedale.

Stour boss Neil Mitchell was forced to field a youthful-looking side who were desperately unlucky to come away empty-handed.

Despite playing against the elements in the first half, injury-hit Stour remained in contention throughout.

First-half tries from fly-half Matt Williams, flanker Ramsey Dean and winger Alistair Bressington, who also kicked a conversion and penalty, saw Stour trail 25-20 at the break.

But Stour were guilty of failing to turn possession into points throughout the second half as they played down the slope and another Bressington penalty was all they had to show for their territorial advantage.

Wharfedale's only worthwhile attack in the second half saw Simon Horsfall snap up his second try of the game.

Earlier, winger Neil Baggett and centre Chris Malherbe had breached Stour's defence, while Paul Bedford finished with two penalties and two conversions.