STOURBRIDGE finished second best in a tense clash with table-topping opposition that could have gone either way.

Hinckley were the visitors to Stourton Park and arrived unbeaten this season in National League Two North but just four points ahead of the hosts.

Both teams looked keen to play attractive running rugby and after matching each other during the opening minutes, Stourbridge began to dominate with a combination of slick passing and penetrating kicks.

Stour also looked to have a marginal advantage in the scrums and began to apply pressure through Joe Heatley and Jack Lea.

However it was Hinckley who opened the scoring - quick ball from defence put Alex Salt in for a try on 23 minutes which Joe Wilson converted.

The hosts turned up the heat and Lea took advantage after Jamie Skerritt was yellow carded to score under the posts, Rickie Aley added the extras.

Lea collected another try on the stoke of half time after a period of sustained attacking play and Aley again converted to make it 14-7 at the break.

Hinkley came out fighting after the restart and on 48 minutes a Sam Driver try and Wilson conversion levelled the score.

Just four minutes later speedy passing along the line fed Josh Smith for a try and Wilson’s kick gave the visitors a seven point advantage.

Stour hit back down the left and as the ball came infield Nigel Mukarati was on hand to crash over, Aley slotted home and the game was all-square.

Hinkley were again down to 14 men after Jack Michael Dickinson was sin-binned and on 70 minutes Aley scored a penalty from 28 metres after a scrum offence.

Hinckley were down but not out and Ryan Hough crossed the line in the corner after Stour failed to clear their five metre line but a missed conversion meant the gap was just two points.

Stour looked set to regain the lead with just four minutes to go but Aley missed a straightforward penalty from 22 metres.

Home hearts were broken on 39 minutes when a fumble in the Stour defence allowed Dickinson to steal the ball and charge home for a try which Wilson converted to make the result 24-33.