Stocksbridge just edged this absorbing local derby, but it was hard work. Both teams came into the match undefeated in the league and both played with hard nosed tenacity and no little skill. Bridge were shorn of their dynamic duo in the centre and their iconic 2nd row Andy Beal, but their replacements, Dave Potts, Liam O’Leary and Liam Richardson all did very well.
The early exchanges went to Bridge as Sam Whittaker ruled the line and the scrum moved forwards relentlessly. Oaks however had a resolute defence and their tackling drove the attackers back. After 15 minutes they got out of their own half and a mid field penalty gave them an attacking lineout that they secured and drove over the line, the excellent No 8 Carl Ford claiming the try. A Scot Bowskill penalty soon after reduced the arrears. The referee was doing his job well away from the action and he gave a mistiming in the centre as crossing and Oaks stretched to an 8-3 lead at half time.
Stocksbridge had the benefit of the slight wind in the second half and Bowskill knows how to take advantage, continually pinning the visitors back with long relieving kicks. There was a lot of huffing and puffing from Stocksbridge, but they never looked likely to breach the defence. Adam Frith was showing up well and ball was won ruck after ruck, pressure being the name of the game. Bowskill landed a short range penalty to bring Bridge closer half way through the second half. Then from a well won ruck Frith got the ball to Bowskill, in the pocket, and despite a hand from the defence the drop goal crept over. At last Bridge had their noses in front and they worked hard to stop there. The back row were all over the opposition like a rash and possession came steadily their way. They lost a man to the sin bin, which gave Oaks a sniff, but this was snuffed out when a delicate chip from Frith bounced kindly for winger Callum Green and he took it out of the hands of the full back to race between the posts. The conversion meant that Bridge took away from Oaks the consolation of the losing bonus point, a tough pill to swallow. Onto Doncaster next week the only other unbeaten team in the league.

Next Match – Away – Doncaster amateurs – 3pm Kick off

|Come along and support your local club