Stour impress in romp
Stourbridge's impressive dismantling of a resurgent Redruth in their last game before the Christmas break meant more to Neil Mitchell than simply a bonus point victory, writes James Peacock.
Stourbridge's impressive dismantling of a resurgent Redruth in their last game before the Christmas break meant more to Neil Mitchell than simply a bonus point victory, writes James Peacock.
Many of the more discerning clientele to have followed Stour's progress over the years described the 34-0 win as the best rugby they had ever seen at Stourton Park, according to the coach, who was in no mood to disagree.
The win signified a message of intent to those seeking to snatch promotion to the increasingly professional ranks of National One from under Stour's nose.
And the message was unmistakeably clear: Stourton Park is a very difficult place to get a result, a reality echoed by a powerful set of Cornishmen who failed even to muster a point.
With the bulk of Stour's biggest remaining fixtures - most notably Blackheath (January 19), Westcombe Park (February 23) and Otley (March 15) - all being at home, the promotion odds are in Mitchell's side's favour.
Home games could prove a telling factor, not that it will allow complacency to seep into the foundations at fortress Stourton Park.
This league has produced more than its fair share of upsets already this season but in second place, Stour have graduated to 'destiny in their own hands' territory, a journey that gets underway this weekend at Cambridge, who lost their last game to lowly Nuneaton.
"I have just got a feeling about this game – and sadly, it's not a good one," said Mitchell. "It is a potential banana skin."
"If you look at this weekend of fixtures over previous seasons it has thrown up some very strange results and lacklustre performances.
"I remember them from my playing days.
"No one really knows what day it is over the Christmas period and unless we are absolutely prepared for the encounter we could slip up.
Cambridge have a great home record and with the new guy (billionaire Alki David) coming in I think their players are going to want to make an impression."
With his side sitting second and having studiously examined the remaining fixtures of their rivals, Stour will enter the new year and long home stretch of the season with confidence.
"Our destiny is in our hands, definitely.
"That is the message I will be giving to our players at training this week and hopefully it will register."
Tom Jarvis is out injured, as is Sam Robinson, who pulled out of the Redruth game with a torn abductor.
Dan Lavery's season went from bad to worse as he pulled out with another injury. Simon Homer will alse be out but Ben Hughes will be back in.
