Stourbridge show class
Stourbridge could have been forgiven for lacking cohesion in the early stages of their National League Two encounter with Cambridge - but fans at Stourton Park were treated to a blistering first half performance.
Stourbridge could have been forgiven for lacking cohesion in the early stages of their National League Two encounter with Cambridge - but fans at Stourton Park were treated to a blistering first half performance.
It was the side's first league fixture for three weeks and six new players were making their home debuts - but a convincing 32-19 win against some highly-regarded opposition provided the perfect return to business for Neil Mitchell's men.
Not that the coach was satisfied.
"It could have been 50," he said.
"Had it not been for individual skills of players creating opportunities I would have been disappointement."
Tries from winger Martin Freeman and his England Counties counterpart Tom Jarvis, who could not even get a place in the starting line-up, did the second half damage as did the performance of try-scoring full back Jon Hall.
Quick-thinking scrum-half Tom Richardson opened the scoring with a tap penalty inside five minutes - and it was from that point that the home side started to dominate.
Ally Bressington's boot did the rest.
Mitchell is expecting a different test this weekend at Blackheath, a side coached by Harvey Biljon, the England Counties coach.
The Stour boss will glean all the information he can from his quartet of players who have just returned from France.
"Coaches usually adopt the same style at representative level as they do at club level," said Mitchell, "and on the evidence of the videos we have watched of Blackheath, we are expecting an expansive game.
"We are mindful of that have worked on defending against it in training."
Stour will have to travel to the London-based side without Hall, Freeman, Mark Eastwood and Adrian Olver - but Sam Robinson is likely to return after 12 months out.
It means Australian Rod Petty will drop to the bench despite two good performances at 10 so far this season.
Mitchell said: "Sam is such a silky player that if he is fit he almost demands selection.
"We have so much quality in this squad and of the starting line-up we have genuine class from one to 15.
"We have never been able to say that before - but it is too early to tell how we are going to do for the season."
