National League Division 2 North: Stourbridge 49, Sheffield Tigers 21

STOUR stretched their winning start to three games with an impressive display against promoted side Sheffield Tigers.

The manner in which Stour turned matters around after Sheffield had made a flying start suggests there's much more to come from Neil Mitchell's men this season.

Sheffield came racing out of the traps and won a fourth minute penalty after Stour were penalised for not releasing and fly half Angus Bowyer duly thumped over a long range kick from close to the half way line.

Two minutes later, Sheffield increased their lead to 10-0 after winning good line out possession and flinging the ball along the backs for left wing Henri Packard to complete a lovely handling move by crossing in the corner for Bowyer to convert.

Stour responded and pressed Sheffield's line, which resulted with their No.8 Steve Walker being sent to the sin bin for deliberate obstruction by referee Neil Chivers before fly half Luke White kicked the resulting penalty.

Bowyer responded with another excellent long range shot at goal to make the score 13-3, but by this stage Stour were beginning to find gaps in Sheffield's somewhat fragile defence.

Left wing Joe Bridger was first to take advantage, scampering clear on the overlap to dot down.

Stour No.8 Ciaran Moore was next to strike with White kicking the extras.

Before Sheffield knew what hit them, outside centre Joe Heatley stormed over for a sizzling solo try which White also converted to make the score 22-13.

Bowyer bagged his third penalty when Stour were penalised in the scrum, but there was no stopping Stour by this stage who put clear daylight between the sides right on half time, Ciaran Moore credited with the final touch for the fourth and bonus point try as the pack drove over and White converted to give Stour a 29-16 lead at the break.

Six minutes into the second half, Stour were reduced to 14 when tight head prop Chad Thorne was yellow carded.

But it made no difference as Stour were in the ascendancy by now and the crowd were treated to a rare Rod Petty try, the full back showing a fine turn of foot to finish off another splendid handling movement.

The accurate White converted and then slotted over two penalties to put his side out of sight at 42-16.

There was still more to come as Joe Heatley chased a pin-point kick ahead to secure his second try which White again converted.

Credit to Sheffield who could have easily caved in by this stage, but they snatched a last gasp consolation unconverted try when replacement left wing Alexander Graham sprinted over the in the corner.

Sadly only a sparse crowd of 221 to witness this excellent exhibition and although Neil Mitchell remains tight lipped, Stour are already starting to look serious contenders this season.

Stour: Petty; Elvers, Heatley, Otutaha, Bridger; White, Tibbetts; Harrison, Lea, Thorne; Fowles, Murphy; Mukarati, Harding, Moore. Replacements: George, Wilkes, Phillips, Fellows, Munro.