STOURBRIDGE came out on top in a 12-try thriller away at Sedgley Park where the lead changed hands six times.

Sedgley hooker Dan Maher opened the scoring after 10 minutes but Stour fullback Nick David hit back shortly after the restart, running past several defenders to touch down.

Chris Scott's conversion attempt hit the post but three minutes later he made no mistake with a penalty following an offside infringement.

The hosts were back in front just four minutes later when Maher added his second try from a lineout.

Stour's new signing Hal Riley continued his impressive start with a try after collecting a pass from Scott inside his own half.

Riley used a combination of power and speed to crash through the defence to score, Scott added the extras to give Stour a five point advantage.

Sedgley hit back almost immediately with a well-worked try from Jamie Harrison who had been threatening all game.

With 40 minutes on the clock Stourbridge were awarded a series of penalties which resulted in a lineout on five metres.

The powerful Nigel Mukarati benefitted from a catch and drive to bag the try and Scott converted to give the visitors a half time lead.

The advantage had come at a price, two of Stour's key men suffered injuries which may keep them out of action for several weeks - Joe Heatley (ankle) and Jack Lea (suspected detached retina).

Following the restart Maher completed his hat-trick from another lineout on five metres to secure a league bonus point.

Stour collected their own bonus point when Mukarati was on the end of a driving maul to score the try and gain a seven point lead in the game.

Five minutes later Stour were penalised for a high tackle, the kick went for a lineout in the corner which led to a score for replacement flanker Max Skofic under the posts and Matt Riley slotted his first kick of the day.

The hosts had the better of the next period of play and eventually the pressure paid off when Skofic scored his second try and Riley his second conversion.

Again Stourbridge burst through with a 40 metre break from Nick David and at the breakdown Rob Connolly was on hand to score the try which Scott converted to level the scores.

Another Nick David break set up a five metre lineout and Mukarati was again in the action to go over in the maul for his second hat-trick in four matches.

Scott added the conversion to complete the scoring and give Stour a 41-34 victory.

The result means that Stourbridge remain second in National League Two (north) just two points behind Sale but having played one more game.

Next week Stourbridge travel to Tynedale for a rearranged fixture where they will be looking for their fifth consecutive victory.