STOURBRIDGE director of rugby Neil Mitchell has called for his side to show their ruthless streak after they failed to secure a valuable bonus point against Preston Grasshoppers.

Stour returned to winning ways with a 19-10 win at Stourton Park last Saturday but failed to build on a commanding first half display.

After bossing the first period to build a commanding 19-0 lead at the break, they were unable to register a single point in the second half.

Mitchell was disappointed with the performance and underlined how important it is to pick up the extra points for teams wanting to challenge at the head of National League Two North.

He said: "It felt like a loss at the end. To fail to get the bonus point was really poor.

"We have to be a lot more ruthless and make sure we get the job done.

"We have seen in this league before that just one or two points is the only difference at the end of a long season.

"Yes we have cut the deficit to those above us but it should have been a lot better for us."

Stour started like a house on fire and took the lead within two minutes with a well executed try.

Flanker Liam Munro made the initial break and punched a hole in the Preston defence before the ball was recycled and flung across the backs for left wing Chris Easton to crash over in the corner.

Stour increased the lead on 10 minutes, the pack winning good line out ball and then driving for the Preston line before number eight Ciaran Moore broke from the back of the rolling maul and cantered over to score while fly half Chris Scott kicked the conversion.

Stour's progress was hindered on 18 minutes when flanker Nigel Mukarati was sent to the sin bin for an illegal tackle but Preston could make little impression.

Once restored to 15, Stour were soon back in control and a third try quickly followed after concerted pressure in Preston's 22 was rewarded, Ciaran Moore surging over for his second try which Scott duly improved upon to put the Stourton Park side 19-0 in front at the break.

But that as good as it got for the hosts and a disappointing second half followed.

It gives Mitchell plenty to work on ahead of this Saturday's trip to mid-table Otley.

"We are nicely poised at the moment but have to make sure we keep the pressure on the teams above us," added the coach. "Caldy have a nice lead but we have to keep them in check.

"We can no longer waste games against teams below us. We are running out of chances and have to treat every game like a cup final, as difficult as that may be.

"But we have to take our chances and work on our self discipline. That is something we'll be speaking to the players about this week.

Forwards Joe Carpenter and Tom Harrison will miss the Otley game with knee injuries.