STOURBRIDGE Lions continued their recent good form with a win at home to high-flying Stoke-on-Trent.

Stoke started the match in fourth place in Midlands Division One (West) but the Lions once again proved they are a tough test for any side in the league.

The hosts started strongly, a penalty converted by Rhys Williams was followed by a Tim Daly touchdown after a series of phases.

From the Stoke restart a flowing Lions move led to Williams putting Tom Noote over and Williams conversion left the Lions exultant and Stoke shell-shocked after 15 minutes.

Another try by Scotty Langdon after a passing move from half way left him to crash over, the two points were again added by Williams.

Stoke began their recovery with a fine try and conversion to register their first points after almost 30 minutes.

The Lions came back with the bonus point try from a Jack Noott try after a turnover in midfield and a passing exchange down the left, Williams again converted.

Stoke bagged a converted try to make the score 29-14 at the break.

The second half opened with an opportunist Lions score, another turnover near halfway and a fine Jones run and pass to Will King to go over in the corner.

Another fine conversion gave the Lions a 22 point lead at this point but Stoke piled on the pressure and registered two further tries with one converted to pull back to a ten point deficit.

Things were looking tricky for the Lions, given the later surge and win by Stoke in the earlier fixture before Christmas. However, the Lions found their feet again and 60 minutes in they scored when the pack drove over and Joe Loverock was last up with the ball. A further try from George Tildesley four minutes later, with a 50m sprint to the line left the result in little doubt. The try was converted by Williams for a 48-26 lead.

A number of subsequent promising moves followed but were prevented by last ditch defence and some handling errors. Finally, Rhys Williams converted a penalty to end the game as he had begun it and to leave Stourbridge 51-26 winners.

The Lions are now clear of the relegation places and in seventh place in the league as they prepare to host Camp Hill on Saturday.