Stourbridge Saxons pip Otley to post

It took a missed conversion from visiting full back Chris Georgiou to ensure Stourbridge banked four points from their National One contest with Otley.

Despite scoring three fine tries and never being led, it wasn't until Georgiou's intervention a minute from time that the Saxons sealed a 21-19 win.

Although the Saxons' never hit the attacking heights reached during their defeat at Redruth a week earlier, the overall outcome was a better one. As the golfing adage states "it's less about how, and more about how many."

Director of rugby Neil Mitchell will also have relished the efforts of first-time half-back partners Sam Robinson and Peter White. Diminutive scrum-half White varied his game superbly, while newly-returned Robinson's ability to play-make 'in traffic' on the gainline, brings an exciting new dimension.

After winger Jamie Hearn kicked the home side into a third minute lead with a wind-assisted 45 metre penalty, Georgiou equalised with a routine kick, when Stour's front row were penalised in the tight.

A second Hearn penalty extended Stourbridge's lead, before home back rower Rupert Cooper forced his way over from close range for the game's first try.

Although Georgiou's second penalty soon narrowed the interval gap to five points, the home side extended their advantage direct from the start of the second period.

Matt Thomas drove the kick off return 20 metres, before quick hands released Hearn. The winger linked with Greg King, whose pass sent Charlie Hayter speeding to the corner for his ninth try of the season.

Otley dominated territory and possession for the next half hour, forcing Cooper to infringe on the ground in front of his own posts. This earned the number 8 his fourth yellow card of the campaign and gave Georgiou three simple points.

The visitors also took full advantage of the ensuing power-play, to force a well-constructed try, finished by flanker Richard Beck, who squeezed in the corner.

Ashley Smith added a third Stourbridge try five minutes from time, when Robinson's accurate cross-kick left him with the simplest of touchdowns.

However, Otley refused to admit defeat and a late score from winger Curtis Wilson, following an excellent Joe Barker cut-out pass, left Georgiou with a difficult, and ultimately unsuccessful, chance to snatch a draw.