Stourbridge Lions 37, Leek RUFC 19

The Lions are one game away from promotion to Midlands 1 West after a convincing win over rivals Leek.

Victory away at Newcastle (Staffs) on April 22 will secure the title and a step up to a division which tantalisingly includes neighbours Dudley Kingswinford.

Promotion would be a huge achievement for the Lions who are a totally amateur club which has been in existence for just 15 years.

Around 200 supporters at Stourton Park cheered the Lions to victory against Leek which the hosts dominated.

The front five dominated their opponents and Adam Bowser at prop was the focus behind which the pack drove Leek backwards.

The started well for the Lions, after seven minutes they forced the away side back into their 22 where Leek had a lineout 10 metres from their own line.

The home pack took possession and Rich Pennock got the opening try, superbly converted from wide on the right by Ben Trinham. 7-0 and game on.

The home side continued to probe Leek’s defences and the second score arrived when Ben Trinham scored a long-distance penalty.

This was followed by a fine try inspired by Owen Williams’ fine run and inside pass for scrum half Will King to scamper over.

Lions continued to attack, sublime play from Cass Brookes ended with an inside pass to George Tildesley and a flick to the supporting King to cross which Trinham converted.

On 30 minutes Leek fought back and began to make inroads into the Lions’ half. Helped by yellow cards for Langdon and Bowser the away side camped in the Lions 22 and, on the point of half time, after a series of penalties, they finally crossed the line for a converted try.

Shortly after the restart, while the hosts were still a player down, a drive from a lineout gave Leek a second converted try to reduce the arrears to 22-14.

Bowser returned from the sin bin and the Lions' domination came with him. After 10 minutes a move from a lineout sent play right and then back left to give Fred Brookes the chance to run on to Langdon’s pass and score under the posts for the bonus points.

The conversion and subsequent penalty from Trinham gave the Lions breathing space again at 32-14 with 25 minutes to go.

The game slowed but with 15 minutes to go the home side conjured up another try.

A Leek lineout inside the Lions’ half was stolen and Scotty Langdon ran almost 50 metres and through or round three tackles before passing to Tildesley to finish in the corner.

Right on full-time the visitors scored a consolation try but the Lions had already secured the spoils.

Meanwhile Stourbridge RFC's Colts will finish their season under floodlights at Stourton Park on Thursday April 20 for a re-arranged fixture against Bromsgrove Colts, kick off 7.45pm.