South Leicester RFC 26 - 26 Stourbridge RFC

STOURBRIDGE'S bonus point performance was cancelled out by consistent kicking as they shared the spoils away at South Leicester.

Stour kicked off with wind advantage and registered the first points after a five metre scrum produced scrappy ball before number 10 Robbie Forbes pounced for only his second try in blue and white.

Three minutes later, Forbes was instrumental in sending George Morgan clear following a penalty lineout. Morgan sliced through the gap from 15 metres out to score and Joe Heatley added the extras.

South hit back with some slick play and the pressure told when a loose ball could not be taken cleanly by Stour. South’s hooker, Adam Johnson, dived on the ball and Rickie Aley converted.

This spurred-on South Leicester who found success in the scrum and Aley landed a penalty on 19 minutes to bring the scores within two points.

Stour’s best passage of play came 10 minutes from half time when they finally steadied the scrum and Sam Pailor picked up close to halfway. His break was enough to disrupt the defence and his offload found Charlie Jeavons-Fellows in support, 35 metres out.

The always impressive Jeavons-Fellows still had plenty of work to do and elusive running dodged several tackles to put him in for Stour’s third try, Robbie Forbes added the extras to make it 10-19 at half time.

Aley made the most of the windy conditions in the second half, using a combination of booming clearances and neat chip kicks he pinned Stour back inside their own territory. It took just seven minutes for the tactics to be rewarded and Aley added another three points.

Stourbridge put together some counter moves but sloppy work between the set piece and backs meant their efforts were fruitless.

The hosts took the lead for the first time through a try by replacement Adam Nunney which was concerted by Aley.

South Leicester could have added two more tries but for a forward final pass and a great cover tackle by Dan Rundle.

Aley then added a further three points from a penalty.

Two minutes from time Stour replacement hooker Jack Lea stretched to touchdown for a try and Forbes converted to level the match at full time on 26 points each.

Stourbridge face fellow title chasers Hinckley on Saturday at Stourton Park.

The game will be the centrepiece of a three-match rugby bonanza at the club's official launch of its new AGP pitch which will also feature a fixture between Stour under-14s and Hinckley under-14s.

The free event will be kicked off at noon with an introduction from former Leicester, England and Lions player Peter Wheeler.