Sat 31 Jan 2026
A 6 try demolition, including a hat trick from in-form centre Harrison 'the storm' Norman earned Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby maximum points, as they returned to 2nd place in the Counties 4 Yorkshire South league ladder completing a comfortable round 14 victory over visitors Withernsea RUFC, a final score of Stocksbridge Rugby 40pts - Withernsea RUFC 12pts could, & probably should have been more for the home side, but for a lack of discipline during the 2nd half.
A stiff breeze & cloudy, overcast conditions greeted the players & sizable crowd at the Coal Pit Lane Arena, as Stocksbridge defended the slope against a big, & enthusiastic opposition. Player/Coach Aaron Kaye was forced into a re-shuffle of his starting line-up, with the versatile Callum 'whippet' Green named as hooker, & the equally versatile Jack 'crazy feet' Spencer selected at fly half for the un-available Scotty Bowskill. Experienced back rowers Reece 'diesel' Aspin & Tommy 'the gun' Spencer brought a re-assuring depth to the match day squad. The visitors started strongly, with their heavy forwards pummelling the defensive blue wall. Stocksbridge held firm & almost from their first serious attack, a well worked line out move turned into a rolling maul & 'slammin' Sam Whitaker, sponsored by S&M Pipeworks, plunged over from close range to open the scoring, easily converted by Harrison 'the storm' Norman, kindly sponsored by David & Jacqueline Lambert. Withernsea hit back almost immediately with an opportunist try & conversion of their own, to bring the scores level, before happy hooker, Mikey 'vegas' Hartley, on as an early replacement for the injured Ricky 'rooney' James, earned the biggest cheer of the day as he slipped thru the visitors defensive line to register his first try for 3 seasons, Norman was again successful with the conversion. Probably the try of the day came next when the forwards won good line out ball, that man Frith fed Spencer who unleashed his back line, quickly recycled ball found Whitaker on the charge to register his 2nd touchdown of the day, this time too far out for Norman to add the extras. As half time approached, the dangerous 'storm' Norman earned Stocksbridge their try bonus point with a searing break from half way, stepping thru 4 would be defenders to score under the posts, Jake Bevan, sponsored by Mackenzie Stocks Joinery, successfully took over the kicking duties. Half Time : Stocksbridge Rugby 26pts - Withernsea RUFC 7pts.
Playing with the slope in the 2nd stanza, Stocksbridge were looking to press home their clear advantage, & were rewarded when the Withernsea full back fumbled a high kick, & Norman was 'johnny on the spot' , following up to pounce on the loose ball for another score, this time Jono Burton, kindly sponsored by Mr Julian Wilkinson, added the extras. With the game virtually over as a contest, Stocksbridge lost their way & gave away too many penalties for a variety of ruck offences & high tackles, the official finally lost patience with Birthday Boy Mason Goldsworthy for repeated high tackling & gave him a yellow card, not for his Birthday, but for 10 minutes in the home sin bin. The visitors used their man advantage to register their 2nd try of the day. Normal service was resumed as Norman stormed in for his hat-trick try, & Burton converted. Final Score: Stocksbridge Rugby 40pts - Withernsea RUFC 12pts.
2 tries from No 8 'slammin' Sam Whitaker, & some great work in the loose, earned him consecutive Bradfield Brewery Man of the Match awards, with Norman a very close 2nd.
Whitaker, sponsored by S&M Pipeworks, has run into form & has been rewarded with the Asphalt Grid Systems Man of Steel award for January.
Coach Kaye said afterwards, 'we did enough, & we had some excellent, dominant spells. I just feel we should have put more points on them, particularly in the 2nd half'.
Stocksbridge take a break from league action next week when South Yorkshire Fire Service will visit the Coal Pit Lane Arena for a charity match against a Stocksbridge XV in aid of former captain Craig Hollingsworth, kick off is 2pm & all are welcome. The Manchester Road clubhouse will also be showing the 6 nations clash between England & Wales after the game. Stocksbridge will make the journey to the East Coast to face Withernsea again on 14th February, before a mouthwatering home fixture with promotion rivals Sheffield Medics on 28th February, where the winners may well secure 2nd place in the league ladder.
Written by Andrew Tyers
