IN-FORM Stourport kept pace with the leaders in North Midlands One after a robust display earned them their fourth successive win.

But they had to perform well in their 31-8 success against a strong previously unbeaten Ledbury side who had defeated top team Bishop's Castle the previous week.

The result leaves rampant Stourport level on points with Castle and behind on points difference but with a game in hand.

And the town club hit back after an early penalty at the weekend to take the lead through openside flanker Les Pimm who capitalised on a quick penalty after strong forward play.

Ledbury replied with a try but Stourport attacked from the restart and centre Rob Humphries ran in to reply.

Richard Dorrell's conversion made the half-time score 12-8.

Stourport surged further ahead when No. 8 Andrew Hubbold broke from a scrum, created by Victor Little's run, and set up scrum-half Richard Eaton for a try. Flanker Little added another score and Dorrell a conversion.

The Stourport backs maintained their imposing defensive record despite pressure and completed a fine day close to the end.

Full-back John Malins chased a fly-hacked ball with the Ledbury winger but was tripped by his beaten opponent and Dorrell converted the resulting penalty try.

Ledbury 2nds 27 Stourport 2nds 10

Second-row Tony Wyton grabbed a try, while fly-half Steve Griffin added a conversion and penalty as Stourport, with one-man short, put up a good display against strong opponents.

Stourport 3rds 22 Ledbury 3rds 5

The 3rds blooded several new emerging players in a good-spirited win over Ledbury, aided by first-half tries from open-side flanker Matt Strawberry and prop forward Tim Wilkins.

Stourport chairman Jim Brady guested for the opposition and assisted with a try before No. 8 Doc Foster and flanker Mark Yates added to the Stourport scoreline along with skipper Mick Aslanian's conversion.

Fixtures, Saturday: Birmingham Civil Service v Stourport 1sts (friendly), 2nds v Birmingham CS, Birmingham CS v 3rds.