OLD Hales bagged the local bragging rights with a much-needed victory over rivals Stourbridge Lions.

Hales secured a bonus-point 26-19 win at Wassell Grove last Saturday to lift them into third place in Midlands One West and just four points off top spot.

Stour drop to seventh and remain on 17 points from their first six games this season.

Matt Williams, head of coaching at Old Hales, said: "What a great local derby. II think Saturday showed the value of local rugby with two great teams giving all they could to get a result.

"We played well in parts but lacked that killer blow and respect to Stourbridge for sticking in there and battling for the full 80 minutes.

"My man of the match was Tom Dempsey he had a monumental game on Saturday and gave the Old Hales scrum the edge from minute one; the passion and desire this guy had to beat Stourbridge is unmeasurable.”

Both Old Hales and Stour don't have a game this weekend.