STOURBRIDGE director of rugby Neil Mitchell admitted his side’s promotion hopes are over after defeat against relegation-threatened Broadstreet last Saturday.

Stour’s poor run of form continued when their trip to Coventry resulted in a disappointing 19-12 defeat.

Their third successive loss all but ends any hope of bagging a top-two spot in National Two North this season.

Mitchell said: “You have to say that has killed off our chances now. Mathematically it is not over but we have been exposed a little bit during the last few games."

Mitchell thinks tired legs may have crept up on some of his players as they approach the business end of the campaign.

“The reality is that we have been without two first-choice second rows for a long time. Robbie Hurrell and Chris Depper have done brilliantly for us but eventually it will take its toll.

“We have also been without two props and have asked the same side to play a lot of games.

“Sometimes that bit of tiredness can creep up on you when you least expect it and maybe that is what has happened.”

Playing into a gale-force wind in the first half against Broadstreet, Stour took the lead with a short-range try for flanker Joe Carpenter converted by full back Tom Mitchell.

But indiscipline in their own half gifted nine points in penalties to the host’s outside half Lee Chapman.

Trailing by just two points at the break Stour looked to have weathered the storm, but Broadstreet tore back at them working an early second-half try for full back Andrew Murray.

A shortened lineout from a penalty kicked to the corner produced a soft try for the host’s number eight Jack Gibbons when Stour left the tail undefended.

With their own lineout struggling, Stour’s attempts to run the ball around also fell victim to a rash of handling errors and in the end they had to settle for a losing bonus point thanks to a late try when second row Hurrell crashed over from short range.

Mitchell now wants his side to get back to winning ways when they welcome Huddersfield to Stourton Park this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

“Momentum is very important and finishing the season strong will be a big factor for next year,” he added.

“I’ve been very pleased with some of our performances this season but we now need to iron out some of our recent issues and try to refocus.

“We need to try and advance our younger players now as well, such as Josh Trinham and Tom Mitchell, and build continuity for next season starting against Huddersfield this weekend.”