STOURBRIDGE Rugby’s under 13s were in battling form to fight their way to an international festival win.

The Stourton Park club sent a squad of 20 players to the Anglo-Welsh Festival at Mortimer Park in Leominster, home of Luctonians RFC, for the event on November 23.

In previous years the Stourbridge team had been denied by the narrowest of margins but this year they stormed through the opening rounds with victories over Bromsgrove, Gwemyfed and Kidderminster plus a draw with Shrewsbury.

The hosts were swept aside in the semi-final and Stourbridge headed into the decider for the cup having conceded just one try.

Hereford RFC provided the opposition for the final and Stour started well, with two first-half tries on the scoreboard at the break.

The second period saw Hereford on the front foot and pushing hard to get a grip on the game however heroic defending inside their own half saw Stourbridge hold out to take the game 12-0.

Stourbridge captain Thomas Griffiths lifted to trophy to round-off a spectacular start to the season for Stourbridge U13s, who have already represented England at the Rodez rugby festival in France.