Worcester Wanderers 17-17 Stourbridge Lions

STOURBRIDGE Lions left it late to snatch a draw in dramatic fashion after a thrilling finale at Worcester.

The match started well for the Lions, in the second minute a Will King kick from a ruck in the home half saw a brilliant catch and offload by Tom Mitchell for Cass Brookes to beat the remaining defence and go over under the posts.

After falling behind the home side began to make their mark in the game, their powerful pack and driving running pushed the Lions back.

Worcester scored a converted try on 15 minutes and, although a converted penalty from Mitchell gave the Lions a 10-7 lead their pack was wilting in the tight and, but for sterling work in defence by Tom Noott and his back row, Wanderers would have had more than the unconverted try they scored after intense pressure, just before half time.

The score remained 12-10 to the home side throughout the second half until the dramatic conclusion.

A period of pressure with the clock ticking towards the final whistle saw a home forward go over to leave a conversion which would mean the Lions short of a losing bonus point.

Somehow the conversion was missed leaving the Lions with a slender hope with less than two minutes remaining. The kick off was claimed and the away team put together a series of penetrating attacks that ultimately took them into the home 22.

Pressure piled on with the Wanderers resulting in three penalties for the visitors. There was little room for error but the Lions kept calm and were rewarded when another penalty was taken quickly, the move went left and Alex Jones broke through and over the line wide out on the left.

Tom Mitchell took the ball and calmly slotted home the conversion to deliver a draw which takes them to tenth place in Midlands Division One West.

Next week the Lions are at home to Sutton Coldfield.