Stourbridge edge thriller and Stafford enjoy rout as Walsall finally lose - round-up

The Stourton Park boys ran out 46-40 home winners in an entertaining clash that threatened to go either way.

Mark Harrison went over for hosts Stourbridge after just two minutes but Newent hit back twice and led 12-2.

Jolby Beech scored a try for the home side but the Gloucestershire visitors hit back again to lead. Dan Rundle this time crossed the line for the hosts, the first score not converted by Freddie Morgan, for 19-19 but it was Newent who pulled away again with four minutes left of the first period with another score.

Jack Teague's try, converted by Morgan, hauled their side level crucially on the stroke of half-time.

Teague put Stourbridge in the lead with an early second-half try but Newent struck back to lead 33-31.

Stour powered to the line in the final 30 minutes with unanswered tries by Beech, converted, and Ben Freeman critical for a 43-33 lead before seeing out the win.

At the other end of the table there was a 61-19 defeat for struggling Dudley Kingswinford at fourth-placed Bromsgrove.

Thomas Walker went over twice in the first half and Jonathan Jones managed a later try but the hosts were too strong.

Lichfield edged a close clash at lowly Drybrook to remain on the coattails of the top five.

The visitors ran out 26-24 winners and now trail Newent by five points.

Burntwood had to settle for two bonus points after a late unravel at Veseyans to lose 31-29.

The visitors led 21-12 with 15 minutes left but the hosts powered through late on. Kian Carter twice found touch with Ben Finney also scoring to put mid-table Burntwood in a commanding position.

In-form Veseyans roared back for the turnaround before Aidan Barker's stoppage time try. Carter's trusty kicking just fell short of pulling things level.

Leaders Dronfield proved the undoing of Walsall again in Regional 2 Midlands (North).

Third-placed Walsall had not lost since a reverse against the table-toppers in November but were beaten 41-24 on the road. Ben Pitt, Pete Fitzgerald and Connor Pitt went over for Walsall.

Stafford produced a fine display of attacking rugby to score 10 tries and dismantle county rivals Longton in Midland 2 West (West).

The visitors squeezed ahead with a try in the opened seconds before Rob Jones, one of eight different try scorers, went over.

Jack Raine added a second before Alistair Weedon and Raine again went over in 20 minutes, converted by Henry Ralphs.

A 28-12 half-time lead was added to with tries from Stu Lewis, Alex Rock, Jeremia Qasenivalu and Rock again to blow Longton away. Ben Dodd and Colton Mclaughlin, both converted by Ralphs, added the late honours.

Willenhall fell off top spot on goal difference after a 24-19 defeat.

A thrilling title race sees Clee Hill at the summit on points difference after their 41-12 win over second-bottom Wolverhampton. Max Woodward scored Wolves' sole try.

Second-placed Eccleshall ran out 68-12 home winners over second-bottom Cannock in Midlands 3 West (North).

In Midlands 4 West (North) third-placed Wednesbury were triumphant 40-5 over Linley and Bloxwich were edged out 19-17 at home to Whitchurch II in a top-of-the-table clash.