WITH just nine points separating Stourbridge from the drop zone Neil Mitchell’s side must have been hoping for at least a bonus point as they went in at the break leading promotion contenders Barking 11-10.

Two penalties from wing Ali Bressington and a try by centre Tom Jarvis were as good as it was to get, though, as Barking showed why they are a point behind leaders London Scottish with a game in hand and no other team within sight as the floodgates opened in the second half .

Stour were outscored three tries to one as Barking, packed with Saracens’ fringe and academy players, took control leaving the visitors without even the consolation of a losing bonus.

Director of rugby Mitchell said: “The problem is that at this level the margins are so small.

‘‘In our case the difference was five tackles.

“Four missed on the same player for their first try and one missed allowing them to go under the posts, which gave them an easy 14 points.

“We still need eight to ten points to be safe, which is ridiculous considering where we were at Christmas in the top six.”

Stour have lost their last three and six of their last eight matches but with fifth-bottom Sedgley Park the visitors to Stourton Park this weekend, Mitchell will be looking for at least four of those eight, reversing the defeat against the Manchester side at Park Lane in January.

He said: “This is my area of expertise. I have been in this position seven out of eight years here and I will ensure the players know what is required.”

A try from centre Charlie Hayter was Stour’s second-half score.