Sat 18 Jan 2025
Ravaged by injuries, illness & player unavailability, Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby were left with no choice but to forfeit their Counties 4 Yorkshire South, Round 12 clash away at table toppers Dearne Valley RUFC at the weekend. Only able to muster 13 fit players, Stocksbridge have been deducted 5 points for a ‘no show’ & have dropped to 6th place in the league ladder, all this after a promising pre-Christmas period, winning 3 from 4 at the Coal Pit Lane Arena. The injury list is long & has been added to with Callum ‘whippet’ Green (MCL) & Reece ‘diesel’ Aspin (ACL), along with burly prop Gary Woodcock (concussion) all struggling for fitness. Player/Coach Aaron Kaye will hope for some improvement as he looks to the next 2 fixtures, both at home against basement club Knottingley RUFC on Saturday 25th January, & the Fox Valley Trophy decider against near neighbours Wortley RUFC the Saturday after, 1st February, where the winner will take the silverware & the spoils until next season. Whilst training has been well attended & the players are responding positively, Club Captain Andy ‘clock tower’ Beal said, ‘it’s a frustrating situation to be in, as we are improving & are keen to get stuck in’, before adding, ‘but if we haven’t the players available & it’s no one’s fault, we don’t have much of a choice !’. The extra week’s rest should give some of the walking wounded further time to heal & improved availability will offer more options during team selection for the next game. Meanwhile, the Club have announced their ‘Sponsors Day Fixture’ for March 8th, coinciding with the visit of Hessle, the Club Partners & Individual Player Sponsors will be welcomed to the game & the Clubhouse, where Chairman Mr Philip Watts will address them all with a speech of thanks & gratitude.
The ambitious club are also on the lookout for new or returning players, of all ages & abilities in a bid to bolster the depth of the playing squad, interested parties are asked to contact the Club on 0114 288 5078 for more information.
Written by Andrew Tyers
