Sat 3 Feb 2024
A day that had almost everything finally ended in defeat for Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby with visitors Knottingley RUFC taking the spoils with a hard fought & at times, brutal victory by 24pts to 10pts. Stocksbridge gave a 1st XV debut to another of their promising youngsters, teenager Max Bevan who showed enough to suggest he will be a permanent fixture before too long. Home match day sponsors Premier Stone Worktops Ltd welcomed a return from retirement for No 8 Jordan ‘spud’ Fletcher who added some bulk to the Stocksbridge back row, whilst ‘clock tower’ Beal was passed it to play just before the start. There was a touching minute’s applause from all at the ground for young Ely Fearnley who passed away last week, after a courageous fight with a brain tumour. Playing against the slope in the first half, Stocksbridge had the better of the early exchanges & deservedly took the lead on 24 minutes, when veteran goal kicker Scott Bowskill slotted a simple 25 yard penalty after a ruck infringement. This seemed to spark the visitors into action & they pounced on a Stocksbridge error to record their first try of the afternoon, adding the conversion for good measure. Knottingley reacted to a suggestion of a tip tackle & a bout of ‘hand bags’ followed, as the game degenerated for a while. From another flashpoint the visiting open side flanker received a yellow card for a cowardly punch on home centre Jack Pearson, who was forced from the field under HIA protocols. Another penalty award saw Bowskill kick deep into the visitors red zone & Beal leapt high to win the line out, feeding that man Frith to release the back line & Bowskill’s deft chip was pounced on by the on-rushing Harrison Norman who collected & rounded the full back to restore the lead for Stocksbridge, Norman is kindly sponsored by Mrs Diane Woodcock, Bowskill added the extras to leave the half time score : Stocksbridge Rugby 10pts – Knottingley RUFC 7pts, & all to play for.
Knottingley came out for the 2nd stanza with a change of game plan, a more conservative pick & go, or just one man simple rugby which caused some problems for the home side, who gave away too many penalties around the break down area. The visitors were rewarded with a try & a yellow card for Stocksbridge’s John Richardson who was adjudged to be deliberately off side. Another flare up saw a red card issued to a Knottingley player for striking however, the visitors kept to their revised gameplan to record a further couple of tries to extend their lead. Young flyer Harrison Norman broke out & danced thru the defence, but Stocksbridge were unable to capitalise, & despite their improved efforts, a final score of : Stocksbridge Rugby 10pts – Knottingley RUFC 24pts gave the visitors a try bonus point victory. Stocksbridge now drop to 6th in the Counties 4 Yorkshire (phase 2) South league ladder, & will be hoping for better fortunes next weekend when Thornensians RUFC are the visitors to the Coal Pit Lane stadium, in a re-arranged clash with a 2.15pm kick off. Despite several good individual performances, the Asphalt Grid Systems Man of the Match award went to young flyer Harrison Norman who was a constant threat to the visitors throughout the match.
A disappointing end to a game that Stocksbridge were looking to win, so they will be keen to get back on the horse next weekend, looking for a victory over Thornensians RUFC.
Report written by Andrew Tyers
