Halifax 10 Stourbridge 34

Mar 3 2008

STOURBRIDGE kept their promotion charge on track with a five-try, five-point victory - but at a cost - as they lost a fly-half to serious injury for the second week running.

That they beat bottom club Halifax was of little surprise but after losing Sam Robinson with knee damage last week, their cause was not helped when Dan Lavery was taken to hospital with a broken jaw to leave them two No.10s down with leaders Otley and promotion rivals Manchester coming up.

Stour's forwards dominated the match and went ahead when Duncan White crashed over from a five-metre catch and drive.

Halifax managed a pushover try but a reply from second-row Ben Hughes and a penalty by wing Alastair Bressington saw Stour turn around 15-7 to the good.

Ex-Bees scrum-half Rod Petty came on for Lavery but the wind meant it was a forwards game and hooker Ben Gerry went over with another pushover.

Halifax landed a penalty but a second White try brought the bonus point, while another from the pack, from 20 yards and credited to Scott Witcomb, displayed the difference in class between the sides.