Perhaps the lowest moment of the afternoon came when Tigers wing Jamie Harrison took a kick-off at full pace and travelled 60m under the sticks without a hand being laid on him.
The heaviest defeat came at home to Rosslyn Park when they were obliterated 59-12 by a side that looked like championship contenders. Bees were mowed down by a bigger, better pack and sliced up by faster, stronger threequarters.
STOURBRIDGE: If Stour do go down this season there will be long lamentations about missed opportunities. Never more so than in the home game against Bees as they went in pursuit of their fourth win in six.
However, mentally they were still in the changing rooms and physically they couldn’t stop themselves giving away penalties which allowed Bees to build a 15-0 lead.
That it came via the boot of the released Mark Woodrow only made it worse. That they scored three tries to their opponents’ none, doubly so.
What they say:
BEES: Cap’n Jack Preece refuses to lie down: “It would look great on your CV if we could get out of it. Two years ago (when Bees stayed in the Championship) it was a great accomplishment, probably the most pleased I have been in rugby.
“We have got some tough away matches and it’s going to be difficult but we know we can do it.”
STOURBRIDGE: Director of rugby Neil Mitchell reckons he can still see light at the end of the long tunnel. “I would reckon we need to win six of our last eight.
“We are certainly capable of that but you can’t legislate for injuries. If we lose key players that could change the dynamics as it could for any club, But it’s certainly do-able if we are injury free.”
Remaining Fixtures:
BEES: With their final four matches against top six teams things look bleak. After all, their record in the reverse fixtures has been lamentable. Fylde, Rosslyn Park, Blackheath and Ealing have each hammered the Solihull side by an aggregate score of 166-41.
That places a massive emphasis on their next five, against opponents who, with the exception of Macclesfield, have either craved or been blighted by the mediocrity of mid-table for most of the season.
STOURBRIDGE: There are no snakes in Stour’s run in, though the trip to Blaydon looks difficult. Mitchell wants six wins to stand a chance but they need a hitherto untapped consistency to get them.
Great Escape Prospects:
BEES: Unfotunately it’s looking like Archibold Ives’ mad rush up the fences.
STOURBRIDGE: As architects of their own downfall it’s reminiscent of Andy ‘Mac’ MacDonald accidently speaking English.
