Sat 27 Sep 2025
Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby were knocked off their perch at the top of the Counties 4 Yorkshire South competition at the weekend, succumbing to a 10 try defeat at the hands of the Sheffield Medics, in Round 3. A crisp autumnal afternoon welcomed a sizeable crowd, who had gathered in hope after some early season success. With the home side missing almost a full back line, Head Coach Aaron Kaye was forced deep into his playing roster to put a competitive side out. The versatile Jack Spencer started at scrum half in the absence of that man Adam Frith, whilst recent signing Elliot Shaw started on the wing. There was a welcome return for Lewis 'eggsy' Bowman in the front row, whilst newcomer Sam Porter partnered skipper Andy 'clock tower' Beal in the boiler room. Fit again Reece 'diesel' Aspin started in the back row & Mason Goldsworthy also made his return from injury off the bench. The students are a young, fit, fast, well drilled outfit & were just too good for an outgunned Stocksbridge outfit, who found themselves 2 tries behind almost before they had any possession ! Despite Beal holding up a Medics forward to prevent a further score, the was a procession of territory & offence from the visitors, who claimed a try bonus point well before the half time whistle. With the little ball that Stocksbridge had, they were guilty of coughing it u far too easily, & too many errors at the break down will be a concern for Kaye & his coaching staff. Half Time: Stocksbridge Rugby nil points - Sheffield Medics 36pts.
Playing down the slope in the 2nd stanza, the home side managed to get some parity with their fleet footed opponents, & although the visitors scored a further 4 tries, the Stocksbridge interchange bench seemed to add some impetus, & 'slammin' Sam Whitaker, sponsored by S&M Pipework Ltd, who had a busy game in the loose, crashed over for a brace of tries, after good work from the home forwards. Jono Burton, kindly sponsored by Mr Julian Wilkinson, was able to convert one of them. Whilst the visiting students enjoyed the bulk of possession, there were heroic defensive display from Staley-Howson & Green in particular however, there will be some soul searching at the Coal Pit Lane Arena this week to improve the first up tackling contact, along with better ball retention. A final score of: Stocksbridge Rugby 12pts - Sheffield Medics 58pts, meant Stocksbridge drop to 2nd in the league ladder, to be replaced by the Medics. The Crown Motors Man of the Match award went to Andy 'clock tower' Beal, kindly sponsored by club secretary Mr Mick Gribbins, who turned back the clock with an athletic display in both attack & defence. Whitaker enjoyed a strong 2nd half, as did player/coach Kaye whilst young fly half Burton looked like he could be dangerous with a bit more good quality possession.
'sometimes, you have to hold your hands up & accept that we were 2nd best in all areas over the park today', said a battered but defiant skipper Beal, adding 'we are progressing, but we need to be ready from the off, & we can take some lessons from today'.
Next visitors to the Coal Pit Lane Arena are Maltby RUFC in Round 4 of the competition, with a 3pm kick off, before a trip to the East Coast to face Wythernsea RUFC the following week.
Written by Andrew Tyers
