The Nuns travelled over to Stourbridge on Saturday to lock horns with an old adversary hoping to build on last weeks win. The side had just one change in the starting 15 with Tom Aherne coming in for James Moreton. Stourbridge were sat in 5th place and having been relegated from level 4 two seasons ago have made n secret of their desire to get back up into the National leagues. The Nuns pushed their hosts for the full 80 minutes but came up short losing 26-19 but did secure a losing bonus point for the first time this season. Tries came from Travis Bennett-Allcock, Tak Chawadya and Ben Kirby with Joe Wilson adding two conversions.

Playing on an artificial pitch, the game started in a steady drizzle which made handling tricky and both sides had a few early fumbles of the ball.

Stourbridge took an early lead in the 8th minute. After working their way into the Nuns 22m with a couple of penalties they put the ball into the corner for a line out. After repelling the initial drive the Nuns held out for a number of phases but eventually the host got the ball into the corner for a converted try to nudge ahead 7-0.

Not put off by this the Nuns gave as good as they got as both sides tried to move the ball but were halted by a mixture of handling spills and set piece re-sets.

The Nuns got themselves back into the game on 17 minutes. Setting themselves well with possession they went through a number of phases before eventually Bennett-Allcock twisted and turned his way through a number of tight defenders from 10m out to score in the corner. Wilson’s conversion just went wide but the score was now 7-5.

The next part of the half was played with both teams pushing each other with neither team really creating any clear cut opportunities. After a number of penalties though, the Nuns were reduced to 14 men in the 31st minute when Ryan Marsh saw yellow. Stourbridge looked to use their man advantage but the Nuns were determined to keep them at bay.

The hosts did manage to extend their lead in the 35th minute. After a number of phases and with the Nuns defending stoically they finally crossed the line from a pick and go. With the conversion added the lead was 14-5 which stayed the same until half time.

The Nuns started the second half looking to get themselves back into the game and with a breeze behind them used the boot of Wilson to keep themselves in the hosts half. Unfortunately a few inaccuracies at times didn’t allow a sustained period of possession to allow them to really test the hosts defence.

On 56 minutes the hosts then extended their lead. After another line break from their fly half, he managed to link up with his support for them to run in from 20m for a third converted try to lead 21-5.

The Nuns didn’t let their heads drop though and came back into the game with some sustained possession. After a couple of penalties, the hosts then received a yellow card of their own. The penalty was sent to the corner and after a scrappy tap down Aherne was adjudged to have knocked on over the line. From the goal line drop out, Chawadya gathered the ball and despite the hosts thinking he had knocked it on the referee called play on and he ran through a couple of defenders to score from 30m out. Wilson converted and the score was now 21-12 after 60 minutes.

Stourbridge came back quickly though and got themselves into an attacking lineout 5m out. A man peeled off the back and managed to ground the ball eventually but the conversion was missed leaving the score 26-12 after 65 minutes.

The Nuns came straight back on the attack form the kick off. Securing a loose ball just outside the host 22m they attacked with purpose and moved the ball across the pitch. Wilson then executed a well positioned cross field kick but unfortunately the ball couldn’t be gathered with a real chance to secure a try disappearing.

The Nuns didn’t drop their heads though and kept pushing to get back into the game. Not allowing Stourbridge any respite they kept on coming back with wave after wave of attack. Under pressure, the hoist gave a couple of penalties away and then picked up a second yellow card on 71 minutes. The Nuns carried on building the pressure and recycling the ball then eventually, Kirby crossed for the third try which Wilson converted. The score was now 26-19 after 73 minutes.

Back again the nuns came playing with great physicality and intensity. They worked their way back down the pitch again, going through multiple phases and really stretching the host defence out wide. Unfortunately though, one pass went down with a knock on. Stourbridge were then able to finally clear their lines.

The game finished with a second Nuns yellow card after some pushing and shoving and Stourbridge chose to kick for a goal but pushed it wide.

A final score of 26-19 and a first losing bonus point of the season in a game with much to be pleased with for the Nuns.

The Saxons also put in a strong performance and were duly rewarded with a second win of the season, 36-23 over Tamworth.

Head Coach Huw Thomas’s thoughts post match “We never like to win a game and at times we need to be more accurate with the ball and in reducing our penalty count. However, the lads showed great spirit and intensity in that second half and we were really pushing for a fourth try at the end. If we can build on this and take it forward into our next block of games leading up to Christmas we will get the results we are after.”

1 Ryan Marsh 2 Louis Addleton 3 Ben Dawes 4 Ben Haywood 5 Tom Aherne 6 Jack Iles 7 Rudi Reid 8 Martin Wood 9 Tom Smitham 10 Joe Wilson 11 Travis Bennett-Allcock 12 Lucas Brindley 13 Harry Beverley 14 Tak Chawadya 15 Ben Kirby; 16 Dave Darker 17 Oli Mitchell 18 Arron Esiri