Following the extended winter break of approximately 6 weeks, there was a concern that we may have lost some of the flair and determination, which we had become accustomed to prior to Christmas, when we visited Stourbridge for an eagerly awaited fixture. 
Stourbridge requested that we play 4 periods of 15 minutes in a match situation and asked if we could field as strong a side as possible for the final quarter as they have the ‘Kyran Bracken Tournament' on 31st January and wanted as strong a session as possible.

We were slow to get going and quickly fell behind to two unconverted tries , which were simply down to missed tackles - particularly in the centre and wide ¾ positions. However we dug deep and quickly found the resolve and determination that had been a feature of our play in the autumn. Lewis Warlow drove over the line and the try was converted by Himmat. However we paid the price for taking our foot off the gas and conceded another preventable try to end the quarter 17-7 in arrears.

The second session saw changes in positions and personnel and we were fast out of the blocks. Some superb forward work and tremendous driving forward quickly put us on the front foot. And heads dropped in the home side following a superb attacking run from Hugh Parker from deep within our own lines to score in the corner. Regrettably in scoring Hugh's damaged a  muscle injury he carried into the game and he left the field after a 7 minute cameo.We ended the second period down 22-14

We traded tries in the third quarter (Paolo scoring  an excellent try for us which Himmat converted) and ended the quarter superbly - Thomas Field, Alex Ashworth and Lewis were outstanding. We ended Q3 losing 29-21.

For the 4th quarter Stourbridge fielded their strongest side ,yet our defence against some stern pressure was superb with some outstanding defensive work from Paulo Olson who, in conjunction with Hallit Gocman, put in numerous try saving tackles. One excellent example of our steely determination was from Josh Arnold who stood firm and fell an attacker who had considerable more height and weight than him.A truly entertaining 15 minutes during which there were no scores.

View from the Head Coach

We ended the fixture very much in touch with a larger, heavier and stronger Stourbridge outfit - a superb team performance with every single player contributing - well done boys.

There were notable performances throughout including (in addition to the boys mentioned above) Alex D, Charlie F and Charlie T but two players stood out with MoM performances - Paulo Olson for outstanding defensive work and great attacking runs from deep and Alex A in the forwards for being first to the breakdown, tidying up loose ball and unselfishly laying off on almost every occasion to his fellow forwards

Well done boys - a very pleasing morning. Now looking forward to  Moseley at home next weekend.

There was a fear that overnight snow would put our first encounter against Alcester in doubt . But an 0830 pitch inspection confirmed that Finstall Park was playable . Our opposition were in contact to say that they were able to raise a team and navigate the route from Kings Coughton .Thankfully Colin Ashworth (holidaying in in the French Alps ) was able to get a text message to our squad ,disturbing lie-ins  and  leisurely breakfasts , helping to ensure we could raise XII for a competitive game. 

Unusually for us , we started very well -with agression and pace and we moved the ball around and got it out wide.The opposition forwards were larger than ours and dominated set plays but we held up and held out .We retained possession well and were quicker to the  to loose ball. Our backs showed some moments of magic and ran in some great trys with some excellent support play from the rest of the team.

We quickly ran up a four try lead thanks to Hugh Parker(2), Charlie Marshall and Billy D-B.  Our composure, organisation and self belief seemed to drop after we lost Hugh to an Achilles injury and Alcester slowly worked their way back into the game , clawing back two tries before half time.

Apart from one mesmerising run from Charlie Marshall we spent most of the second half on the back foot .Alcester were in the ascendancy , sensing our fragility they went for the jugular - with 3 minutes remaining they moved into the lead 5-4. 

At this point Hugh decided to return to the pitch (in his trainers)  in an effort to salvage a draw. From the re start we retrieved and recycled the ball and fed Hugh who broke forward to score in the corner 5-5. But we were not content with that . Our forwards were galvanised -we retained possession from the re start and gained ground . Were were  3 metres out when the ball broke to Alex Dew who squirmed through the Alcester defence to score the winner . A great break Alex.  

View from the Head Coach(RM)

In the first half we were 4 tries up and playing some good rugby in the conditions against a strong pack. The second half was a different story and after Hugh Parker had to go off injured our heads seem to drop and we made really hard work of it.

We then found ourselves behind 5 trys to 4 behind until the return of Hugh to the pitch. in the last 5 minutes we played a completely different game and worked really well as a team and pulled the game back.

MOM has to go to Hugh Parker for a great work ethic and led from the front.Other mentions again go to Himmat for his tackling and Josh Arnold for playing for Alcester in the first half and making it more difficult for us".

Thanks to everyone ( and parents) for turning out in the snow .