Stourbridge 28, Chester 23

THE combination of elation and relief descended on Stourton Park as Stour snatched a stunning last gasp victory over third placed Chester, writes Nick Pullen.

In what has been a wretched first half of the season to date, this result was something to reward the supporters.

Titanic tight head prop Mark George was the man of the moment, appearing wide on the right to launch himself over for a try in the corner in what proved the last move of the match.

It triggered a remarkable turnaround of fortunes in the short space of seven days, after a makeshift Stour side had suffered a torrid afternoon at Hull Ionians when they shipped 50 points.

Honest Director of Rugby Neil Mitchell admitted: "Hull was my lowest point for some considerable time.

"We've been hit with so many injuries this season that we haven't been able to train properly and as a result, there's been no continuity to our game.

"But I'm not unhappy with the squad of players and once we get some bodies back, we will have more cohesion."

Fortunately for Mitchell there were signs of the cavalry returning against Chester.

What nobody bargained for was the manner in which Stour shoved Chester off their own scrummage ball from the opening set-piece.

Indeed the scrum proved the cornerstone of this victory.

Having shunted Chester back from the first scrummage, Stour set up a series of driving mauls before the ball was flung wide for right wing Tom Jarvis to scamper over on the overlap.

Full back Jon Higgins assumed the kicking role in the absence of Moseley loanee Caolan Ryan, but missed the resulting conversion.

Chester were soon back on level terms when No 8 David Ford punched a hole in Stour's defence for loose head prop Gavin Wood to cross the line.

Higgins soon restored Stour's lead with a penalty but Chester were quick to respond, right wing Craig Ross chasing a clever kick ahead to score.

Back came Stour to regain the lead for a third time.

Once again the scrum was used to send Chester back into reverse and over their own line for No.8 Drew Harper to apply the vital touch.

Chester then levelled matters up at 13-13 by half time, fly half Will Goodwin landing a rare successful kick with a 27th minute penalty.

Stour clawed the lead back for a fourth time within two minutes of the second half when Higgins scored a penalty kick.

But the odds swung heavily back in Chester's favour when Stour left wing Stefan Cooksammy was yellow carded on 48 minutes with Goodwin slotted over the resulting penalty.

Chester made their numerical advantage tell, spinning the ball wide for Ross to score his second try which Goodwin converted.

But Stour refused to lie down and went back on the offensive. Higgins dinked a precise kick ahead and Jarvis sprinted through to snatch possession in front of a bewildered Chester defence to touch down under the posts.

Higgins converted to square the game again at 23-23 with all to play for.

Both sides went for the winning score, but it was Stour who applied late pressure before the ball was moved wide for George to complete a memorable score.

A delighted Mitchell added: "Chester are a side of real quality and they've proved that this season by beating Ampthill. Five or six weeks ago, we would have been turned over and it's a testimony to the players that we won this game."

Stourbridge: Higgins; Jarvis, Shillingford, Tuipulotu, Cooksammy; Bown, Nash; Sturdy, Page, George; Moore, Hurrell; Mukarati, Uzoigwe, Harper. Replacements: Lawrenson, Webb, Depper, Blackburn, Garner.