STOURBRIDGE slipped to their seventh-successive away defeat against a well-drilled Hinckley side.
Stour lost 15-7 as they failed to back up the following week's high-scoring home win over basement boys Peterborough Lions.
It took 23 minutes for the hosts to score their first points, counter-attacking from a misplaced clearance kick with Ryan Hough going over for a converted try.
Just seven minutes later, Hinckley chipped over the Stour defence for Aaran Philip to fall over the line for an unconverted try.
On the stroke of half-time, Stour hit back. Joe Heatley made a blistering break from the Hinckley 10 to their 22, cleverly switch-passed to fellow centre Hal Riley, who comically dragged the Hinckley scrum half over the line with him to score a well-deserved try. Chris Scott slotted the conversion and the teams went into the break at 12-7.
The second half was a story of two strong defences and the home side must be bitterly disappointed that they only managed to win the final 40 minutes 3-0. However, that was enough to deny both teams any bonus points and brought a hard-fought and dour game to an end.
Stour now welcome Hull Ionians this Saturday (3pm kick-off).
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