Stourbridge shoot into second place

Stourbridge shot into second place in National Two North with their seventh win in eight games

It increased the pressure on Macclesfield and Sedgley Park, who both lost matches to the weather.

Stour struck first on a soft Stourton Park surface, outside-half Rod Petty slotting two penalties, before veteran scrum-half Toby Handley breezed through a huge gap in the defence to score the opening try.

Harrogate full-back Lewis Minkin hit back with a penalty as Stour's dominant pack camped in their 22.

The visitors lost flanker Tom Harvey for cynically pulling down a maul and then shipped a try to Stour winger Josh Trinham when the hosts moved the ball wide.

A Stour bonus-point victory looked a formality when a direct run at the defence by centre James Otutaha produced another score straight after the break.

But Stour failed to score a fourth try and were left to rue a dangerous tackle by replacement Connor Nicholls that saw him sin-binned, and numerous missed opportunities.

With nothing to lose, Harrogate started to throw the ball around and bagged a well-worked consolation try through winger Luke Edwards to make the final score 23-10.

Seven points behind leaders Macclesfield and three points ahead of Sedgley, Stour have played two games more than both of their rivals.

They travel to Preston Grasshoppers this Saturday.

Old Halesonians didn't play at the weekend but they travel to Sandbach this Saturday third in National Three Midlands.

Dudley Kingswinford extended their winning run in Midlands One West to five games with a 37-12 victory over Whitchurch.

Ed Parry opened the try-scoring before Danny Hawkins picked up at the base to drive over the line.

Stef Shillingford grabbed a third before ensuring DK picked up a bonus point with his second and the team's fourth.

Luke Greenwood rounded things off with a fifth try, and the scoring was bolstered by the fine kicking of Duncan Tomkins. Fifth in the table, DK travel to second-placed Bournville this Saturday.

Walsall's trip to Hereford was postponed, but the basement boys host Kenilworth this weekend.

In Midlands Two West North, Kidderminster Carolians and Stourbridge Lions both had matches postponed.

Kiddy host Camp Hill this Saturday while the Lions travel to Old Saltleians.

Cannock beat Bloxwich away 34-32 in Midlands Three West North and host Burntwood this weekend.