NEIL Mitchell admitted he didn’t get what he really wanted out of the 41-7 success at Bromsgrove this week which keeps them in the thick of the National League 2 North title race.

Although Stour erased the nightmare of last season’s shock defeat, Mitchell maintained his side were stifled in the second half as they were repeatedly penalised.

Mitchell revealed: “The referee was a mate of mine from the police, but it seemed like every time we got the ball, we got penalised. It turned out to be a disappointing and frustrating afternoon.”

Stour wrapped up the bonus point within the opening 20 minutes as Nigel Mukarati, Ben Hughes, Sione Tu’ipolotu and Tom Jarvis all snapped up tries.

But the highlight of the game from Stour’s perspective was a hat-trick of tries from fit-again winger Nathan Bressington, taking his club try tally to 59.

Bromsgrove’s solitary reward was a penalty try converted by Richard Mahoney.

Mitchell added: “I wasn’t necessarily looking for a cricket score, but I wanted a little bit more from the game than we got.

Stour now turn their attentions to Saturday’s local derby with Dudley Kingswinford at Stourton Park.

Mitchell insists: “The DK’s results haven’t made pleasant reading of late and it gives me no pleasure to see them struggling. Ideally, I wouldn’t want to see them in the bottom three.

“But as far as I’m concerned, it’s business as usual and I just want to make sure we get five points from the game.

“I know the game with Dudley Kingswinford is always met with a great deal of anticipation, it’s a proper Black Country derby and I’m sure it will be played with a great deal of passion, but it’s important that we stick to our style and system.”

Ironically Stour have three players out on loan with the DK’s in Greg MacDonald, Ashley Oyekan and Tom May – but all three are currently injured.

And despite the fact Drew Harper has returned to the fold, Mitchell has hinted he might make one more signing as fly-half Sam Robinson is struggling with injury.