Stourbridge 27 Southend 23

Apr 28 2008

STOURBRIDGE ran in a four-try, bonus-point win to complete the season with their highest finish in their history, third in National Two.

Promotion was still an outside prospect at the start of the game and Stour did their part with a five-point victory but second-placed Manchester made no mistake at Blackheath with a 29-3 win and Stour were left to celebrate what might have been.

Stour were second best in the first half, going in 13-8 down with a Ally Muldowney try and a penalty all they had to show for their efforts.

Three tries in 15 minutes from the restart though put Stour firmly in control.

Centre Greg King started it then wing Ally Bressington collected a brace to give the home side a bonus point and a 14-point lead.

Southend were not going to roll over though and they came back with a converted try of their own and added a penalty for good measure. But Stour held on to fulfil their part of the promotion bargain.