STOURBRIDGE RFC recorded their second win on the bounce last Saturday but victory came at the cost of long-term injuries to two of their key players.

The 38-5 demolition of Blaydon in front of a bumper Stourton Park crowd lifted Stour to 10th in National One, ahead of this weekend’s trip to high-flying Wharfedale.

But joy at the victory was dampened by the injuries suffered by outside centre Adam Billig and back row powerhouse Duncan White.

Billig suffered a shoulder injury in the first half, while White was later revealed to have suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Director of rugby Neil Mitchell admitted their loss was a “massive blow.”

He said: “Both of them will be out for a long time and they are two of our most experienced players.

“There is little we can do about it, it’s the sheer physicality of the game at the level we play at.”

While Wharfedale will provide a trickier test than Blaydon, Saturday’s visitors matched their Stourton Park hosts for much of the first half until a late converted try from winger Chris Tennuci handed Stourbridge a seven-point lead.

But it was a different story after the break as Mitchell’s men ran in a further five tries, helped by some outstanding play from the forwards coupled with some scintillating runs from the backs.

Forwards Adam Sturdy and Ben Gerry were also on the scoresheet to cap an excellent all-round display, with Andy Baggott scoring a late consolation try for the visitors.

The kicking duties were shared between Jon Higgins and Tom Richardson, the latter stroking over three of the four successful conversions.

Stour will also be missing Canadian youngster Seb Pearson for the trip to Yorkshire but Mitchell believes his side can still provide a test for anyone in the league.

He said: “Wharfedale are doing well at the moment but even with our injuries we are still a formidable outfit.

“We still have the personnel to cause other teams problems.

“On Saturday we lost two key players in the first half but still went on to score five tries in the second half.

“It was a real credit to the lads.”

And the Stourton Park chief also praised Sam Robinson’s second half display after more than a year out with a knee injury.

Mitchell added: “He showed what a class player he was again, even when he fell over!

“You’ve been out for 18 months, slip over inside your own 22 but get up and dance around the opposition – he is an outstanding player.