Otley 13 Stourbridge 12 (From Halesowen News)

Otley 13 Stourbridge 12

10:09am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Stourbridge RFC

A LATE penalty condemned sloppy Stourbridge to their second defeat of the season.

Winger Chris Gemmell kicked the decisive three points with just four minutes to go, after Stour’s conceded their only penalty of the game.

Despite dominating up front, the Saxons had only themselves to blame for the tight scoreline, having rarely threatened the home tryline.

The Stourton Park side’s seemingly inexorable march toward the National Two North title has now become a nervous walk.

Two Caolan Ryan penalties put the visitors 6-0 up approaching half-time but Otley set siege to the Saxons line, eventually forcing a lineout catch and drive for a converted try which inched them ahead at the break.

Ryan kicked Stour back ahead early in the second period but crucially missed two further attempts, either side of Otley re-taking the lead after Stour were penalised for a ruck offence.

The Saxon’s kicker made no mistake with another attempt on 63 minutes to put his side up 12-10 and when Gemmell was off target for Otley, Stour looked likely to hold on.

But with four minutes to go Stour’s scrum knocked the ball on in contact, referee Will Halford awarded the penalty and Gemmell held his nerve to clinch the win.