NEIL Mitchell has praised the reaction of his Stourbridge players after they claimed victory over third-placed Chester last Saturday.

Stour snatched a stunning last gasp 28-23 win to bounce back from the previous weekend's defeat to league leaders Hull Ionians.

The director of rugby at Stourton Park said: "It was great to see the way the players reacted after a drubbing the previous week.

"They really played for each other. The Hull game was a real low point for us, so it was very pleasing to see that kind of response.

"I think the players have realised that they have to dig themselves out.

"I have said all along that once we get players back from injury we are a match for any team at this level, and that proved to be the case."

A host of first team regulars, including Tom Jarvis, Stefan Cooksammy, Sione Tuipulotu and Robbie Hurrell, returned to the side for the Chester test.

Titanic tight head prop Mark George was the man of the moment, appearing wide on the right to launch himself over for a try in the corner in what proved the last move of the match.

It triggered a remarkable turnaround of fortunes in the short space of seven days, after a makeshift Stour side had suffered a torrid afternoon at Hull Ionians when they shipped 50 points.

What nobody bargained for was the manner in which Stour shoved Chester off their own scrummage ball from the opening set-piece.

Indeed, the scrum proved the cornerstone of this victory.

Having shunted Chester back from the first scrummage, Stour set up a series of driving mauls before the ball was flung wide for right wing Tom Jarvis to scamper over on the overlap.

Full back Jon Higgins assumed the kicking role in the absence of Moseley loanee Caolan Ryan, but missed the resulting conversion.

Chester were soon back on level terms when No 8 David Ford punched a hole in Stour's defence for loose head prop Gavin Wood to cross the line.

Higgins soon restored Stour's lead with a penalty but Chester were quick to respond, right wing Craig Ross chasing a clever kick ahead to score.

Back came Stour to regain the lead for a third time.

Once again the scrum was used to send Chester back into reverse and over their own line for No.8 Drew Harper to apply the vital touch.

Chester then levelled matters up at 13-13 by half time, fly half Will Goodwin landing a rare successful kick with a 27th minute penalty.

Stour clawed the lead back for a fourth time within two minutes of the second half when Higgins scored a penalty kick.

But the odds swung heavily back in Chester's favour when Stour left wing Stefan Cooksammy was yellow carded on 48 minutes with Goodwin slotted over the resulting penalty.

Chester made their numerical advantage tell, spinning the ball wide for Ross to score his second try which Goodwin converted.

But Stour refused to lie down and went back on the offensive. Higgins dinked a precise kick ahead and Jarvis sprinted through to snatch possession in front of a bewildered Chester defence to touch down under the posts.

Higgins converted to square the game again at 23-23 with all to play for.

Both sides went for the winning score, but it was Stour who applied late pressure before the ball was moved wide for George to complete a memorable score.

Stourbridge will travel to face Luctonians this Saturday before the Christmas break.

"Luctonians have been playing well but not getting the results, so we much be focused on our task," added Mitchell. "It would be great to head into the break with a win under our belts."

Saturday's game could see Mitchell name a near unchanged side. Only Jordan Page is an injury doubt.