Match Preview

Lions one week and Tigers the next would suggest Stourbridge were on some kind of round the world safari but this is just another week of “business as usual” in National League rugby!

Tomorrow, the team makes the 105-mile journey, up the M1 to Dore More, home to Sheffield Tigers RUFC. The Club was formed in 1932/33 and played their first season matches on the eastern side of Sheffield. In 1933, a pitch was rented at the rear of the Dore Moor Inn and changing facilities were provided in the loft above the old stables.

As the club developed, a permanent site was needed and the present grounds were rented from the Hollins Hospital Trust in 1938. A clubhouse was built, the nucleus of the present pavilion, and two pitches laid down in front of it. At that time, the club was intended to be Sheffield Tigers Rugby and Cricket Club, so a wicket was laid between the two rugby pitches. The clubhouse has been extended three times since 1947, and, at the end of 1999 the present clubhouse was opened and the pitch was redeveloped, funded with a sports lottery grant of £570,000. The First XV pitch is now located in front of the refurbished Clubhouse and this has given them playing and changing facilities second to none in the area.

Last week they lost narrowly to recent demotion team Hull Ionians even though they had the lions’ share (pun intended) of lead-time. Ionians snatched victory from the jaws (pun) of defeat with a 79th minute score leaving both sides 8th and 9th place in the table.

That was a game that saw nine tries so we can expect an entertaining game as long as the weather holds out although there is a 45% chance of rain forecast around kick off time!

Our last encounter was at Stourton Park on 17th March and it was Tigers who came away with a two-point victory (26 – 28). The game was refereed by Charles Gayther (last week’s official!) Tigers outscored us by 5 tries to four but missed all conversion attempts. Scorers for Stourbridge included tries by Phil Bowden, Nick Murphy Stef Thorpe and Mark George. Ironically, like last week, that victory also came in the 79th minute by Tom Farrell’s only successful kick of the afternoon!

The starting line up remains unchanged but Chris Scott is rested (back) as is veteran player coach Adam Sturdy. In comes Reece Beddows, Sam Wilkes and Liam Mather on the bench whilst Niall Gibbons and Jack Spencer will also travel to Sheffield as additional back up.