THERE was no quarter asked and none given in a bruising clash between Stourbridge and Leicester Lions.

The visitors always offer a tough challenge and right from the start Lions were aggressive against Stour’s forays into their territory.

Two early penalties from Chris Scott gave the hosts a six-point lead and the Stour defence held firm against plenty of Lions’ pressure.

The difference between two good teams was solid Stour defence and Lions' errors at crucial moments when opportunities beckoned as both sides slugged it out for much of the first period.

Eventually Joe Heatley broke through the Lions defence for a move which ended with a scrum on five metres.

Sam Pailor took full advantage to crash over the line under the posts and a Chris Scott conversion added the extras.

Lions pushed forward but were unable to break through and the half finished with Stour holding a 13-0 lead.

Lions drew first blood in the second half, James Wise crossed the line wide out right on 57 minutes after an impressive passing move.

A yellow for Lions’ Tom Aviss opened the door for Stour to hit back with a try from Llyr Griffiths and the game slipped away from Lions when winger Dan Rundle finished off an attack from defence to add another.

Despite the score Lions fought hard but suffered a setback on 76 minutes when Drew Rudkin was yellow carded for a high tackle on Rundle.

Lions had the last word when Reece Harris made late pressure count with a try which Jonathan Boden converted but it was too little too late and Stourbridge emerged victorious 23-12.