Stourbridge RFC 16 - 39 Sale FC

THE faltering public address system at Stourton Park matched the performance of the home side on their new all-weather pitch.

While the setting for Stourbridge is now nothing short of magnificicent, fans' hopes for a show-stopping curtain raiser on the new AGP playing surface were dashed.  

Stour faced a tough task against one of National League Two's top sides and things started well with a try for debutante Rob Forbes on three minutes.

Sale hit back twice by the 15 minute mark with tries through the middle which exposed Stour in a way that was to set the tone for the rest of the game.

While the hosts looked comfortable in the scrum, Sale exploited poor handling and missed tackles in the back line to be comfortably ahead by 24 - 11 at half time.

A turnover from a lineout allowed Sale to add to their tally just after the break and they piled on the pressure for much of the half.

A quality dash from inside his own half by the impressive Anthony Bingham being the best of the visitors' tries.

Stour rallied at the end searching for the losing bonus but in truth they were well-beaten by a side who spolied the new pitch party.

Stour face more difficult fixtures in the coming weeks and will be keen to return to winning ways after two defeats on the bounce.