Stourbridge left green by Grasshoppers

Stourbridge, who slipped to third place in National Two North, started briskly.

An early penalty by outside-half Rod Petter followed by some neat footwork by Nathan Bressington to go over in the corner put them 8-0 clear.

Yet their inability to hold on to possession brought them under pressure with Preston's Alastair Murray scoring.

Stour's Robbie Hurrell take a spell in the sinbin and he was soon joined by Joe Haryley as Preston's Sean Taylor scored his first of five penalty goals.

Stour finished stronger with a short-range try by scrum-half Toby Handley, but burnt an opportunity to take two bonus points when a pass went loose just short of Preston's line.

Stourbridge host fifth-placed Leicester Lions on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a much-changed Old Halesonians celebrated a fantastic 32-15 victory over Sandbach in National Three Midlands.

They opened the scoring six minutes in following a mammoth 22 phases of play, which eventually led to Tom Jordan crossing the line.

A penalty try and a well-worked score from Andy Holloway, plus nine points from the boot of Dave Hadkiss, stretched their advantage to 24-3.

Scores were traded in the closing stages with a penalty from Hadkiss and a try by Owen Jones making the final score 32-15.

Old Hales welcome second-placed Scunthorpe next knowing they would leapfrog their visitors into the top two with victory.

Eighth-placed Lichfield secured their second away win of the year, scoring 22-8 against Bromsgrove. They welcome table-toppers Hinckley on Saturday.

In Midlands One West, Walsall secured their first win of the season.

The rock-bottom squad emerged victorious at home after defeating seventh-placed Kenilworth 20-12. They next travel to face third-bottom Leek.

Dudley Kingswinford had a tough match against second-placed Bournville, losing out 28-17, missing the chance to thrust themselves into the promotion picture.

Dudley welcome leaders Bridgnorth on Saturday.