Sat 21 Feb 2026
Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby travelled to York, to face Nestle Rowntree in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Vase trophy, & found themselves on the wrong side of a 76pts to nil hiding, as their hosts superior standing showed thru in this one-sided clash. Player/Coach Aaron Kaye selected himself at No 8 & Luke Gentles made the starting line up at full back, with young flier Laurence Heyes given a senior debut on the wing, in an otherwise regular team selection. From the off it was clear there was a gulf in class & the hosts scored at regular intervals running up a 36pts to nil lead by half time. As further tries littered the 2nd stanza, Gentles received a yellow card & 10 minutes in the sin bin following a high tackle, & a further high tackle resulted in a straight red card for a Nestle Rowntree player. To their credit Stocksbridge never gave up but a final score of Nestle Rowntree 76pts - Stocksbridge Rugby nil tells the story. The Man of the Match award sponsored by Mr Mick Gribbins, was awarded to debutant winger Laurence Heyes who defended with courage & contributed several try saving tackles.
Speaking after the game, club captain Andy 'clock tower' Beal said, 'the difference in class & mentality was clear for all to see,' adding. 'if we have genuine ambition, & we are good enough, then we need to improve in all the other areas to be contenders. We will be looking for a reaction in training & in next week's must win game against the students'.
Stocksbridge need to lick their wounds quickly & prepare for the Round 16 clash in the Counties 4 Yorkshire South competition on Saturday when promotion rivals Sheffield Medics visit the Coal Pit Lane Arena with a 2.15pm kick off, before their next away fixture in West Yorkshire against basement club Knottingley RUFC the week after. The club can reveal that injured back rower Tommy Kerr will require surgery to repair an ACL tear & his season is over, as newcomer Will Cuttell is rehabbing following bicep surgery & is also not expected to return to action until next season.
Meanwhile off the pitch indie party band, the Electric Gherkins will play at the Manchester Road Clubhouse this Saturday, live from 9pm.
Written by Andrew Tyers
