TWO games into the North Midlands (South) Two season and Stourport find themselves in the lower reaches of the table after back to back defeats.

Selection problems caused by injuries led to an under-strength side losing 17-0 at home to Harborne.

A re-shuffle of the team was required with only 15 players available. Despite this, Stourport started well and managed to hold their opponents for the first 15 minutes.

The deadlock was broken when the visitors intercepted a pass to score an unconverted try after running half the length of the pitch. The forwards appeared evenly matched in both the scrums and line-outs and Stourport did extremely well to prevent any further scores up to half-time.

Harborne scored their second after the break when their No 8 picked up and popped the ball out to the scrum half who passed back inside for the fly half to score under the posts.

Unsurprisingly, it was converted.

With 10 minutes to go, Stourport were awarded a line-out five yards out from the Harborne try line.

The visitors managed to steal the ball for their hooker to run round the blind side and after a couple of missed tackles, crash through defence to touch down.

Despite the disappointing result and having to play with just 14 men for the last 20 minutes, there were plenty of positives for Stourport. Their were solid performances from chairman Andrew Foster and John Connelly who both deputised admirably for injured players, while Chris Way and Rob Bush also performed well. Morale remains high and Stourport are hoping to be at full strength when they bid to bounce back at local rivals Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday.

Stourport seconds slipped to a 43-20 reverse at home to Bromsgrove thirds but the final score flattered the visitors.

Two late converted tries from Bromsgrove made the margin of defeat heavier than the hard-working Storport side deserved.

A missed tackle gave Bromsgrove an early lead with a converted try but Stourport came back with a successful penalty kick from Stewart Wilson.

Steve Griffin's first try of the season, plus a conversion from Wilson, seemed to put Stourport in control.

But Bromsgrove came back strongly and good play rewarded them with another converted try.

Shortly afterwards, quick thinking from a Stourport penalty saw man of the match Les Pimm score from a yard out to make the score 15-14. Things were looking up for Stourport, but Bromsgrove responded quickly with a further try to lead 19-15 at half time.

Bromsgrove took control from then on with 24 more points including those late converted tries, while Stourport only managed a Mark Andrews try. The seconds play Chaddesley seconds at Walshes Meadow on Saturday, kick-off 3pm. Bewdley-Stourport were without a game last weekend but are hoping to arrange a fixture for this Saturday.