Stourbridge kick off 2016 with a victory

Although the one automatic promotion spot looks out of reach of third-placed Stour, they remain level on points with Sedgley Park, who hold the play-off spot in second.

Attacking early, Stour were rewarded with two well-taken tries – the first from top tryscorer Joe Heatley after seven minutes.

Rod Petty's pass created a three-on-one overlap, which full-back Tom Mitchell and winger Josh Trinham used to their advantage.

The latter drew the last defender before finding Heatley with a pass on his inside shoulder.

Trinham turned scorer shortly after, taking centre James Otutaha's scoring pass to hare through a gap and leave Caldy's full-back for dead with an outrageous dummy.

Although Caldy scored a converted try and a penalty, three points from the boot of Mitchell kept them at arm's length and secured the victory ahead of Saturday clash at home to eighth-placed Harrogate.

In National Three Midlands, third-placed Old Halesonians suffered a 28-21 loss against 10th-placed Old Northamptonians.

The match started off well for Hales, hooker Sam Jones scoring an early try.

But an injury to fly-half Oli Rayner was the beginning of a series of disruptions for the visitors, as Old Northamptonians immediately applied pressure and came back with a penalty.

Hales were reduced in numbers after Matt Young threw a punch and was handed a red card.

They suffered another injury, this time to Tom King, and further knocks left them with 13 men on the field as the hosts stretched Hales, who gave too many penalties away.

Hales will hope to get their promotion charge back on track when they play host to mid-table Peterborough Lions on Saturday.

Meanwhile, eighth-placed Lichfield will host Birmingham & Solihull at home, having won 25-17 at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday.

In Midlands One West, rock-bottom Walsall suffered another defeat against eighth-placed Dudley Kingswinford.

The home side's defence paid off in the first-half, as they bagged two tries due to the opposing side's handling errors.

But it was not long before DK were then in full control and pressing for the all-important bonus point for scoring four or more tries, which was secured by Stefan Shillingford.

It was not all over for Walsall though as they got two bonus points – one for four tries, the other for being within seven points of the victors – as a result of a breakaway try.

Walsall travel to Hereford next, while DK host sixth-placed Whitchurch.

In Midlands Two West, Kidderminster Carolians suffered a 19-7 loss against Stourbridge Lions, despite Chris Pinner opening the scoring.

Kidderminster will be looking to get back on track this week as they take on Veseyans, while the Lions take on Moseley Oak.

In Midlands Three West (North), Burntwood recorded a 48-0 win against rock-bottom Bloxwich.