DISMAYED Stourbridge Director of Rugby Neil Mitchell bemoaned his side's ability to miss out on victory at the end of matches.

It follows last Saturday's 27-26 reverse at South Leicester when fly half Chris Scott missed a tough penalty shot with the last kick of the match.

He insisted: "Four out of the nine matches we played this season, we've left it until the final play of the game.

"In the games against both Leicester sides, Preston and Caldy, we've left it until the last minute.

"I know how good this side can be, but we can't go on leaving it until the 83rd or 84th minute.

"If we'd won just three of those games, we'd be right up there this season.

"We can't continue to drift in and out of games, my message to the players is quite simple, we must play from the start!

Stourbridge will have their credentials put to the test on Saturday when they travel to second placed Sedgley Park and Mitchell claimed: "There's a great deal to be optimistic about. We have the potential to get up there with the leaders and the trip to Sedgley Park gives us that opportunity.

"We have nothing to fear in this division. Macclesfield are the leaders, there only defeat was against us when we beat them convincingly. That proves we have it in the tank to do well."

Mitchell remains without injured second row pair Liam Mather and Nick Murphy for the trip to Cheshire, the latter being ruled out until Christmas.

Versatile back row player Chris Depper is likely to fill in at second row with Mitchell adding: "We 've got real good cover in the back five this season, so I'm not too worried