Sat 2 Mar 2024
Due to the bad weather causing matches to be postponed, Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby played back to back matches against East Coast rivals Hessle RUFC, unfortunately coming 2nd best on both occasions.
The previous week at the Coal Pit Lane Arena saw visitors Hessle snatch victory with the final play of the game to take the points & the win despite a great effort from the whole Stocksbridge squad, for whom Callum ‘whippet’ Green, sponsored by Mr Connor Brown & Jack ‘milky’ Martin, sponsored by Asphalt Grid Systems crossed for tries, with veteran goal kicker Scotty Bowskill converting one & adding a penalty as a half time 12 all stalemate ended with a final score of : Stocksbridge Rugby 15pts – Hessle RUFC 19pts. The Premier Stone Worktops Man of the Match award went to skipper, that man Adam Frith, sponsored by Bob Mills Painters & Decorators for a near complete performance with clever distribution & some astute kicking, whilst cajoling his troops throughout a gritty performance.
Stocksbridge Rugby then made the trip to the East Coast to play the return fixture under the shadow of the Humber Bridge, & came unstuck on a heavy, water logged surface, eventually falling to a 31pts to 7pts defeat. The scoreline does not do justice to a committed Stocksbridge display without stalwarts Aspin & Whitaker, as both sides played out a scoreless first half, with the visitors looking the most likely to score as Bowskill cleverly marshalled the young fizzing back line, giving Hannah & Norman opportunities to show their skills & pace. Jordan ‘spud’ Fletcher was shown a yellow card for a high shot in the tackle, & Bowskill narrowly failed with a 40metre penalty effort as the half ended at nil – nil. Hessle came out of the blocks firing for the 2nd stanza & opened the scoring with a simple penalty, they then extended their lead with 3 quickfire tries as the blue wall failed to cope with a controversial sending off, & a clear mistaken identity from the official. Fletcher then turned from zero to hero as he dived over for a well taken try after a concerted forwards effort, Bowskill converted, but again, despite being a man down with a yellow card for a high tackle, Hessle claimed a last minute bonus point try to leave the scoreline ; Hessle RUFC 31pts – Stocksbridge Rugby 7pts. These results leave Stocksbridge bottom of the Counties 4 Yorkshire (Phase 2) South league ladder on points difference & Head Coach, Andy Lawrence praised his side in defeat as he reflected, ’small margins are costing us, they took their chances & we couldn’t quite turn ours into points, it’s that close.’ Before adding, ‘I’m confident that another victory is just around the corner for the boys’. Stocksbridge also lost recent signing Laurie Faux with a knee injury & he will be assessed during the week. This week’s Bradfield Brewery Man of the Match award went to young flyer Logan Hannah for a committed display, particularly in defence & posing a great threat in attack. Hannah, kindly sponsored by Mr Nigel George. Meanwhile the Goodlad Contracting Man of Steel for February has been announced as the versatile, crazy footed Jack ‘spenno’ Spencer for strong performances in a variety of back line positions, showing his versatility & commitment to the team. Another re-arranged fixture will be played at the Coal Pit Lane Arena next weekend as Leeds Medics & Dentists are the visitors, with a 3pm kick off, before another journey to face Thornensians the week after.
Written by Andrew Tyers
