Following immediately on from the encouraging performance against table-topping Redruth, this match was a major shock to Wharfedale.
The Greens travelled to the West Midlands in realistic hope of a second win of this campaign – and for the opening minutes of the game that hope seemed well-founded.
They pressured a nervous home defence, creating two clear try-scoring chances. T
hese were spurned, but Mark Bedworth's fourth-minute penalty opened their account and more points beckoned.
Play continued to feature mostly in the Stourbridge half until, suddenly, with the Greens within a metre of the line after a series of scrums, full-back Ally Bressington intercepted a careless pass and sprinted 70 metres before releasing scrum-half Tom Richardson for a try.
That was in the 12th minute. Barely a minute later, Richardson touched down again, confidence in the home camp was soaring, and the Dalesmen's game deteriorated into an erratic pattern of error and slipshod tackling for which honest endeavour proved to be no counter.
First-half injuries to both wingers – Chris Malherbe on 15 minutes, and Dan Hart close to the interval – compounded the Greens problems as Stourbridge went on a third-quarter rampage that effectively sealed the result.
Centre Ben Barkley collected a quick-fire hat-trick of tries which, with two conversions from Bressington, left the Greens facing a 29-6 deficit at the break, a second penalty from Bedworth penalty being all they could offer in reply.
The second half was dull in comparison. Wharfedale had their fair share of possession, but rarely looked likely to add to their meagre tally. The home side contented themselves with tries by centre Adam Billig (55mins) and Bressington (stoppage time), both converted by Bressington.
Wharfedale coach James Tiffany was unavoidably absent from Stourton Park, which made for a quiet journey home for the players. His debriefing might be more lively.
Stourbridge: A Bressington; J Hall, A Billig, B Fear, M Freeman; J Higgins, T Richardson; A Sturdy, B Gerry, C Rowlands, B Hughes, R Dean, P Knight, R Cooper, D White.
Wharfedale: A Whaites; D Hart (D Muckhalt 40), A Hodgson, M Bedworth, C Malherbe (M Simpson 15); J Doherty, L Gray; B Fear (P Hall 31), G Hindle, C Steel (F Lovatt 73), O Renton, A Capstick, A Allen, T Cokell, T Ball.
Referee: N Higginson.
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