STOURPORT have fought off the challenge of local rivals Chaddesley Corbett to claim the North Midlands Division Two South championship.
A hard-fought 15-5 win over Chaddesley at Walshes Meadow was enough to secure the title and promotion to the next level.
The two teams have been neck and neck throughout the season - but Corbett needed to win the derby to stand any chance of pipping Stourport.
Chaddesley started the game well, using the windy and wet conditions to pin their hosts inside their own half for the first 10 minutes.
But Stourport, who have been excellent in defence all season, repelled everything and gradually gained control of the game.
They opened the scoring midway through the first half when Jaco Bester was driven over the line by Steve MacDonald and Ian Didge after good play by Gary Williams.
Despite Stourport starting to dominate, Chaddesley levelled the scores when they hit back with an unconverted try.
The Stourport forwards' superior fitness began to tell after the break and after Philp crossed the line following a scrum, Rob Humpries kicked a conversion and a penalty.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article