Droitwich 23 - Stourbridge Lions 13

Tuesday, 13th March, 2007

Droitwich entertained Stourbridge Lions, who play their rugby in the league above the Spa side, under floodlights on Tuesday night in the North Midlands Shield competition.

The visitors started brightly stretching the Spa defence, although last ditch tackles by Ben Cottrell and Leon Hopkins kept them at bay. Stourbridge did pressure the Droitwich line and good reactions saw them score to take the lead, the try was also well converted.

The home side hit back and good yardage by prop Matt Jupp set up quick ball for Steve Poke to feed Ross Coombes, who set off on a dazzling run into the heart of the Stourbridge defence to score a superb try. Duncan Hughes added the conversion.

Hughes put the home side into the lead with a well struck penalty after good approach work by forwards Gav Reese and Phil Horton.

Just before the break Droitwich seemed to lose concentration as Stourbridge levelled with a penalty of their own.

Immediately Droitwich were guilty of sloppy play, being penalised for off side, enabling Stourbridge to take the lead.

Captain Dean Goddard then rallied his troops and the Spa side seemed to go up a gear. Nick Godfrey made good ground as did Craig Goode, who had a fine match.

Another excellent break by Coombes found James Davies in support. He was hauled down only for Goode to muscle his way over.

From the restart Droitwich again looked to make ground, Leon Hopkins and Teddy Jones on the wings were busy, Reese again went close, but Hughes then floated a lovely pass out to Cottrell who used his pace to increase the Droitwich lead.

Stourbridge rallied strongly at the end, forcing Droitwich into some desperate defence, but yet again the home side’s defence was excellent and kept the visitors out.

A clearly delighted captain, Dean Goddard, added after the game “Stourbridge were the toughest team we have come across for a while, but we showed great discipline and team work. I really am happy with tonight’s display.”

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