STOURBRIDGE ground out a vital win against league leaders Hull Ionians at a wet and windy Stourton Park.

The hosts were being written off by many after a rotten run of form which had delivered just just two wins from seven games.

The match began with Stour showing more adventure than the visitors, probing their defence with an attacking kick to the right.

The pressure paid off from a scrum close to the Hull line and Sam Montieri broke to crash over on the blind side for a try which was converted by Chris Scott.

Hull found momentum but a Stourbridge defence, which had looked fragile earlier in the season, held firm.

Both sides pressed forward but Stour continued to look more dangerous. With the wind at his back Scott took on a long-range penalty kick from halfway which sailed just wide.

With 40 minutes on the clock Hull got their reward for a period of pressure with a penalty on the Stour 22 metre line which Lewis Minikin slotted over to make it 7-3 at the break.

Hull continued to press the host's line after the break but Stour made big tackles to keep Ionians at bay.

Despite plenty of possession and territorial advantage the visitors could not find a way through as the sides slugged it out in the Stourbridge half.

It was tribute to the strength and determination of Stour's defence that despite their almost constant pressure, Hull looked bereft of a cutting edge.

As the half wore on Dan Rundle and Hal Riley made dangerous breaks from the Stour lines.

Stour stalwart Joe Heatley, playing his one hundredth game for the club, looked to be through but his charge was halted.

The final ten minutes saw Stour push the play back into the Hull half and the crowd of 325 began to believe a bruising clash could end in victory.

Rundle broke again to spark a late attack which resulted in a penalty for Stour on the Hull 22.

The tension was lifted when the kick was hammered into touch to end the match with a final score of 7-3.