Stourbridge look to add more experience

They are fourth heading into the final fixture of the current National Two North campaign against Macclesfield on Saturday.

Macclesfield are to be crowned champions, but were beaten 22-5 by Stour at the start of the season.

Even though they have nothing to play for, Mitchell is hoping to make a statement on Saturday and finish in impressive fashion.

He said: "We started off the season with 19 new players and we have managed to beat quite a few of the top sides.

"We beat Macclesfield at home on the first game of the season, we did the double over Sedgley Park, who are going to be in the play-offs.

"The signs are certainly there and it would be nice to finish the season on a high.

"On the other hand, though, we have lost to five of the seven teams around the bottom so there is still a lot of work to be done."

For next term in National Two North, Mitchell reckons adding more wiser, older heads is vital.

He added: "I am speaking to five players about getting them down here and in for next season.

"We are an attractive club, we haven't got promotion this season but we are still right up there with the best teams in the Midlands.

"I am looking to bring in some more experience, players who have played at a higher level, then we can look to have another crack at the top end again next season."

Stourbridge will be confident going into the Macclesfield game. Their rollercoaster form hit another upward curve as they earned a hard-fought victory at Luctonians at the weekend.

It was a dead rubber match – promotion out of reach of course for Stour, and Luctonians now firmly in mid-table after being rock-bottom at Christmas – which the visitors edged 26-22.

Stourbridge second row Nick Murphy, who had been sidelined since last September with a knee injury, returned to the fold.

They clawed back the hosts' early advantage and had secured a 16-point lead and bonus-point fourth try shortly after the hour-mark.

Luctonians rallied but Stour's stubborn defence – the single consistent feature of their season – kept them out until two late tries were rewarded with a couple of bonus points.

Flankers Nigel Mukarati and Joe Carpenter, winger Ashley Elvers and centre Joe Heatley all scored tries for Stour.