Stourbridge 22 Wharfedale 19

THE Wharfedale management will have a better understanding of the potential of their squad after this pre-season workout.

Defeat is not, in itself, a pointer to the team's prospects for the coming National League One campaign. This was an exercise in giving the players valuable game time.

The line-out was vastly improved improvement with Dale taking 85per cent of their own ball while Simon Willet took three on Stourbridge's throw.

The Greens made a fast start. Their kick off was collected by George Hedgley and the home defence was forced into conceding a penalty.

A kick to the corner was followed by a clean catch and drive and a score for Josh Burridge which Lloyd Davies converted.

Stourbridge responded with a neat, unconverted, try when Joe Heatley followed up a grubber kick.

Heatley scored again when weak tackling allowed him to cross the line for a try which Tom Mitchell converted. Good handling from the backs forced a penalty in Stourbridge’s 22.

The following line-out was well won and Adam Howard crashed over for Dale’s second try after four phases of play. With Davies successful from the tee the visitors went in at half time with a 14-12 lead.

Wharfedale fell behind when scrappy line-out ball from an opposition throw saw Richard Pennick react first and dive on the loose ball to put Stourbridge 17-14 up.

A try from promising prop Ali Wade put Dale back in the lead before Heatley grabbed his third try to seal Stourbridge's win.