After an even start, Stourbridge gradually gained ascendency and ran out comfortable winners at the end. Harrogate did have the consolation of a 4 try bonus point but were left under no illusions about how their game needs to improve in this League

Home centres Marcus Mercer and Jordan Cummins featured strongly in early home attacks and Stourbridge went offside from a Cummins break. The penalty won Harrogate an attacking line-out and Declan Thompson drove over to score and put Harrogate into an early lead. Stourbridge counters followed and good line-out ball was quickly spread for winger Jack Fletcher to score a try converted by Joe Heatley. Minutes later, Stourbridge extended their lead when sustained forward pressure led to a try from hooker Jack Lea. Their next score came from individual brilliance from lightning winger Dan Rundle and it was 5-17 after 25 minutes play.

Debutant home full back, Ben Raubitschek made a telling break from defence which was carried on by Harry Barnard and Jordan Cummins. Steve Maycock crashed over to score from a driving maul to make it 10-17 after 30 minutes. An apparent deliberate Stourbridge knock-on only resulted in a Harrogate scrum but a well timed Sam Fox pass put Raubitshek away again. A great Mercer turnover led to more Harrogate attacks which were contained. On the stroke of half-time, Stourbridge stand-off Michael Penn scored to make it 10-22.

From the restart, Kofi Cripps converted try increased Stourbridge’s lead. A period of evenly matched forward play followed and Barnard broke the defence to score Harrogate’s third try and make it 15-29. Stourbridge then quickly seized on a Harrogate knock-on and Louis Misfud raced clear for another converted try and it was 15-36. Joe Heatley scored Stourbridge’s next try and a second Cripps try followed shortly. In the dying moments, Mercer powered through Stourbridge’s defence for a bonus point try converted by Kit Keith

Harrogate
Raubitschek, Barnard, Mercer, Cummins, Edwards, Fox, Keith, Percival, Maycock, Dennis, Hannam, Brady, Heaton, Dodds, Thompson. Subs:- Yorke, Shrimpton, Coser, Whyte, Lansdall

Stourbridge
Wilson, Fletcher, Heatley, Morgan, Rundle Penn, Heaney, Thorp, Lea, Thorne, Bell, Tarbuck, Cripps, Smith, Mukarati. Subs:- Theobold-Thomas, George, Mifsud, Morgan, Scott

Referee
Owen Taylor (RFU)

Harrogate Tries
Thompson (11), Maycock (33), Barnard (58), Mercer (78)
Harrogate Conversions Keith (79)

Stourbridge Tries
Fletcher 19, Lea25, Rundle 28, Penn 34, Cripps 42, Mifsud 61, Heatley 69, Cripps 72

Yellow Cards
Edward (Harrogate)