Wed 30 Apr 2025, 18:30
Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby brought the curtain down on their 2024/2025 campaign with a thrilling Uniplex mid-week Vase Trophy win over visitors Dinnington RUFC 2nd string, eventually winning by just 2 points in 60-point exhibition of rugby union at this level. In hot & steamy conditions, requiring an extra hydration break in each half, there was a large & expectant crowd at the Coal Pit Lane Arena. There was an impeccably observed minute's silence in respect of former player Dean Mitchell who passed away recently, before the action got underway. Player/Coach Aaron Kaye was able to select from strength, bringing back talismanic Liam O'Leary to the starting line-up, & adding himself, Max Bevan, Joe 'half pint' Martin, & old stager Joe Jones to the bench. Playing up the slope, Stocksbridge were soon into their stride, gaining territory with the forwards dominant, & the backs looking pacey & dangerous. 'clock tower' Beal was cut down short of the line, & that man Frith went close with a dart off an attacking scrum however, a sweeping back line move orchestrated by veteran fly half Scotty Bowskill saw centre Jack Spencer release a well-timed pass for Cole Staley-Howson to sprint clear of the cover defence to register his first of 2 crucial touchdown for the evening, Bowskill converting & shortly after added a penalty from a ruck infringement to improve the lead. With the home side well on top, further scores looked likely however, a combination of poor decision making & white line fever let the visitors off the hook, until a break by the impressive Callum 'whippet' Green, was backed up by Ricky 'rooney' James & Staley-Howson was again johnny-on-the-spot to collect & race fully 50yds to complete his brace of tries, again close enough for Bowskill to add the 2pts. All looked good for Stocksbridge at the first hydration interval. O'Leary was warned for a high shot & the Dinnington back line, with more than a hint of an obstruction play opened up the Stocksbridge defence to register their first points of the contest. Dinnington were able to construct a further try just before the interval to leave the half time score : Stocksbridge Rugby 17pts - Dinnington RUFC 2nd XV 12pts, game on.
Dinnington realised they could still win this game, & took the play to Stocksbridge in the early phases of the 2nd stanza, they were rewarded with a simple penalty after a high tackle, although Bowskill extended the lead for Stocksbridge with a well struck effort of his own. The visitors were happy to take their chances & ran in a converted try to take a narrow 2pt lead.
More Stocksbridge pressure saw the visitors concede a penalty & Bowskill regained the slenderest of leads for the home side. Silence engulfed the large crowd, as Bowskill attempted a cut out pass & was intercepted by the Dinnington centre who scored under the posts to restore their lead, with less than 10 minutes remaining. Under the tutelage of rookie coach Aaron Kaye this Stocksbridge vintage have grown in stature this season, & they roared back at the Dinnington line, the forward began to dominate & a quick tap penalty by that man Adam Frith, fortunate to be still on the field after a clear deliberate knock on, sponsored by Brian Mills decorating services, saw him squeeze thru a gap to cut the lead to just 1pt with the conversion to come & time fast running out. Bowskill's effort drifted tantalizingly wide & Dinnington breathed a sigh of releif, thinking the game was theirs. Time for Bowskill to turn from zero to hero as he slotted a 40yd effort to send the crowd wild & his team mates into celebrations as a final score of : Stocksbridge Rugby 31pts - Dinnington 2nd XV 29pts, & a second trophy for the silverware cabinet this season, adding to the Fox Valley Trophy won earlier in the season.
There was only one choice for the Bradfield Brewery Man of the Match award, young flier Cole 'pup' Staley-Howson for his try scoring feats, although the boiler house of Beal & Whitaker, with O'Leary, Watson & Kaye putting in fine performances must have been close.
The improving Finn Dodsworth has been named as the Goodlad Contracting Man of Steel for April, for a string of consistent performances during the eventually successful cup run.
A fitting end to a much improved season for Stocksbridge Rugby, & rookie Coach Aaron Kaye was proud of his charges as he said afterwards, 'typically, we made hard work of this victory, but the way we dug in & found a way to win, says plenty about the character of this group of people', before adding, 'we have a great foundation to build on for next season, after we have all had a well-earned rest'.
Written by Andrew Tyers
