A CONVINCING winning scoreline of 23-5 signalled an impressive start for Stourport in their opening North Midlands Two South clash at Hereford Greyhounds.

Tension was high for the match with half a dozen of the first team squad unable to play in any of the practice games because personal commitments.

But Stourport started well with particularly strong performances from the pack both in scrummage and line out ball with the visitors clearly possesing the more experienced front row.

In the first half, Stourport dominated possesion with the Greyhounds barely breaking into attacking territory.

Although the wind was in favour of the visiting side, Stourport decided not to play a kicking game.

Within 10 minutes, centre Mike Harper sucessfully converted a penalty which was followed shortly by a scrummage forward allowing No 8 Andy Hubbold to pick up and touch down for an unconverted try.

The successful move was repeated 10 minutes later with Harper converting to make the score 0-15 at the interval.

After the break it was a similar story with Stourport dominating, apart from a 10 minute spell where the Greyhounds came back hard and managed to score an unconverted try following a couple of missed tackles.

Stourport confirmed their superiority with a renewed vigour and shortly afterwards Harper kicked a penalty.

At the last stroke of play, winger Matt Willis made a fantastic break which was rewarded by a successful touchdown to make it 23-5 to Stourport.

Next week the First XV are away for the 1st round of the Powergen Junior Cup.