STRATFORD-upon-Avon RFC lost at home for the first time this year following a 39-24 defeat against Silhillians.
Tries from Gwil Davis, Jo Cook, Jake Lowe and Charlie Billings saw Stratford come away from Pearcecroft with a bonus point.
The result means Stratford sit 11th in the Regional 2 Midlands West table.
Silhillians kicked an early penalty to take a three-point lead and then scored the game’s first try to move 10 points ahead.
The home side responded when Davis sold a dummy and arched his way through a gap to score as Dan Whitby converted.
However, Silhillians kicked a second penalty to lead by six points only for Cook to dot down in the corner for Stratford’s second try soon after.
Silhillians crossed for a second try on the half-hour mark from a driving maul and scored a quickfire third try to take a commanding 13-point lead.
Stratford responded before the break as Lowe took a quick tap penalty and forced his way over in the corner to close the gap to eight points at the interval.
However, Silhillians scored their bonus point try early in the second half as the visitors pounced on a loose ball to run in from 40-metres out.
The visitors then crossed for a try under the posts to take the game out of Stratford’s reach despite a Silhillians player appearing to knock the ball on to a player in an offside position.
However, the home side secured a bonus point of their own when Billings dove over to score his first senior try and Whitby added the extras.
Stratford are next in action against Edwardians on Saturday, March 28 with kick-off at 3pm at Streetsbrook Road.
Elsewhere, Stratford’s under-14, under-15 and under-16 teams will all compete in finals held at Broadstreet RFC this weekend.
