Parker boots Stourbridge to fourth loss in five
Stourbridge returned to action with defeat away at Tynedale in their first match of 2019, and their hosts leapfrogged them in the National 2 North table.
Although Stour earned a bonus point for scoring four tries, the same number as their hosts, the boot of Tynedale’s Rob Parker proved the difference.
Losing 40-24 in Northumberland was Stour’s fourth defeat in five, and leaves them down in 11th as one of three teams on 41 points.
It took just two minutes for Tynedale to open the scoring with a converted try for flanker Joe Richards. Three minutes later Stour replied with Stefan Thorp crashing over the line for a try converted by Chris Scott.
Tynedale crept in front again with a penalty and another converted try on the 30-minute mark by centre Jonny Burden.
But Stour hit back seven minutes later with a brilliant break by winger Dan Rundle, who put in full back Mark Harrison in for a converted try.
On the stroke of half-time, Tynedale extended their lead again with another Parker penalty making it 20-14 at the break.
Straight after half-time, a five-minute blitz from Tynedale saw them score two quick-fire converted tries from winger Guy Pike and second row Chris Wearmouth.
That opened up a 20-point lead for the home team, before Hal Riley closed the gap on the hour mark with an unconverted try.
Tynedale kept the scoreboard ticking over with another penalty for Parker, but Stour’s bonus point try came from flanker Nick Cairns on 76 minutes.
But Stour had left themselves too much to do, and Parker sealed the deal late on with a final penalty to cap off a match-winning performance with the boot.
