Sat 21 Sep 2024
Ashort trip down the Dearne Valley parkway to face table toppers Dearne Valley RUFC turned into a nightmare for Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby as they crashed to a huge defeat by 78pts to 7pts in a massively one sided contest. Despite fielding a nearly full strength team, Stocksbridge were on the back foot almost immediately as the big, powerful, speedy home team had the better of the early exchanges, the visitors scored a well worked try by veteran enforcer Joe Smith, converted by evergreen goal kicker Scotty Bowskill, both available for sponsorship, but that was the only bright spark in a tough first half which ended : Dearne Valley RUFC 22pts – Stocksbridge Rugby 7pts.
The second stanza went from bad to worse as the home side scored almost at will, Club Captain Andy ‘clock tower’ Beal was forced to leave the field as was that man Adam Frith, both with blood injuries. Stocksbridge also lost Sam Whitaker & Bowskill for 10 minutes each as they paid the price for some choice words to the match official. A day to forget with the final score of Dearne Valley RUFC 78pts – Stocksbridge Rugby 7pts, which sees Stocksbridge drop a place in the Counties 4 Yorkshire competition league ladder to 5th. Debutant Marley Teeling, kindly sponsored by Mrs Rachel Kaye was awarded the Goodlad Contracting Man of the Match award for his committed effort, whilst another debutant Saul Hinchcliffe, sponsored by Stocksbridge Rugby Supporters Club, coped well in trying circumstances. Stocksbridge Rugby need to shake off this performance & prepare for the first instalment of the ‘Fox Valley Trophy’, a trilogy of matches kindly sponsored by Fox Valley involving Stocksbridge Rugby & local neighbours Wortley RUFC. This is the first of 3 league clashes & whoever scores the most points overall will win the trophy. Fox Valley are also providing customised match balls along with individual Man of the Match trophies for all 3 fixtures. Wortley will be confident coming on the back of a victory over Maltby RUFC, so this Round 4 clash promises to be a thriller. Kick off is 3pm on Saturday. Club Chairman, Mr Philip Watts said, ‘ I’d like to thank those responsible at Fox Valley for supporting these fixtures, ‘ adding, ‘it’s good to see local business getting involved with local sport, & it is much appreciated.’
Written by Andrew Tyers
