Banbury RUFC continue their 2026–27 Regional 1 Midlands campaign this weekend with a third successive away fixture, travelling to Stourton Park to face Stourbridge RFC.

Ahead of Round 3, we take a closer look at Saturday's hosts, their long history in the game, last season's promotion challenge and their start to the new campaign.

Club Overview

Club Name: Stourbridge Rugby Football Club
Founded: 1876
Location: Stourbridge, West Midlands
Home Ground: Stourton Park
League: Regional 1 Midlands
Level: Level 5
Director of Rugby: Neil "Mitch" Mitchell
Joint Head Coaches: Mike Penn and Nick Selway

150 Years of Stourbridge Rugby
The 2026–27 campaign represents a landmark season for Stourbridge as the club celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Established in 1876, Stourbridge have spent much of their history competing prominently within Midlands rugby and, more recently, across the National League structure.

The anniversary is being marked throughout the season, with Saturday's fixture against Banbury forming part of those celebrations.

Stourbridge's annual Ex-Players' Lunch takes place ahead of the game, bringing together former players from across different generations during the club's 150th year.

Stourton Park
Stourbridge play their home rugby at Stourton Park on Bridgnorth Road.

The venue has been the setting for a number of Banbury visits over recent seasons and once again hosts Saturday's Regional 1 Midlands encounter.

With the Ex-Players' Lunch also taking place before kick-off, Stourbridge are expecting a significant gathering of former players and supporters for their latest home fixture of the anniversary season.

The First XV
Stourbridge's First XV compete alongside Banbury in Regional 1 Midlands and entered 2026–27 following an impressive conclusion to the previous campaign.

The senior programme is led by Director of Rugby Neil "Mitch" Mitchell, with Mike Penn and Nick Selway serving as joint head coaches and Adam Sturdy part of the coaching group.

Dan Rundle has also joined the setup as Player and Strength & Conditioning Coach.

Stourbridge describe the current squad as combining experienced players with an increasing number progressing through the club's own pathway.

The 2025–26 Promotion Challenge
Stourbridge established themselves among the leading sides in Regional 1 Midlands during the second half of last season.

A strong finish secured a place in the end-of-season promotion play-offs and gave the club an opportunity to return to National League rugby.

Stourbridge successfully progressed through the opening stages of the play-offs before reaching the final contest for a place in National 2.

Their promotion challenge ultimately ended at the final hurdle, but reaching the accession final represented a significant conclusion to their 2025–26 campaign.

That performance provided the platform from which Stourbridge have begun their 150th season back in Regional 1 Midlands.

Opening the New Campaign
Stourbridge have begun 2026–27 with consecutive victories.

Stourbridge 27–24 Bromsgrove
Burton 24–34 Stourbridge

A narrow three-point home victory over Bromsgrove opened the season before Stourbridge followed it with a 34–24 success away at Burton.

Those results have given Stourbridge ten league points from their opening two fixtures and placed them third in Regional 1 Midlands heading into Round 3.

Banbury also arrive at Stourton Park unbeaten, meaning Saturday brings together two sides yet to lose during the opening weeks of the campaign.

Previous Meetings vs Stourbridge
Banbury and Stourbridge have become familiar opponents through recent Regional 1 Midlands campaigns.

Banbury 53–7 Stourbridge - January 2026
Stourbridge 30–28 Banbury - October 2025
Banbury 15–29 Stourbridge - February 2025
Stourbridge 55–33 Banbury - October 2024

Home advantage has played a significant part in the recent series, with the home side winning each of the last four meetings.

Last season produced two contrasting contests.

Stourbridge edged the first meeting 30–28 at Stourton Park in October, with only two points separating the sides after a closely fought afternoon.

The return fixture at the Graf UK Stadium in January saw Banbury reverse that result emphatically, producing an eight-try performance in a 53–7 victory.

Final Thoughts
Stourbridge enter Saturday's fixture in a significant year for the club.

Their 150th season follows a 2025–26 campaign in which the First XV reached the final stage of the promotion pathway, and consecutive victories over Bromsgrove and Burton have continued that momentum into the new season.

With Stourbridge and Banbury both unbeaten after two rounds, the latest meeting provides an early test for two sides who have begun Regional 1 Midlands strongly.

The Bulls now return to Stourton Park almost a year after a two-point defeat at the venue, with another competitive encounter awaiting in Round 3.

Stourbridge RFC vs Banbury RUFC
Saturday 10th October 2026
Stourton Park, Bridgnorth Road, Stourton, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY7 6QZ
Kick-off: 3:00pm

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