Stocksbridge 20 Stanley Rodillians 7

This was a stop start performance, typical of the team coming back from a break of 2 weeks. They failed to dominate in key areas, until the personnel changed and also got on the wrong side of the referee. There were lots of mistakes all over the pitch but this team does have some character and they ground out a win without playing well.
The first 10 minutes were good with parity all over the pitch and the reliable boot of Scot Bowskill opened the scoring. It all then started to go pear shaped as scrums started to go back and men were missed by the thrower in the lineout. Rods came strongly into the game, with their stand-off proving a real threat and possession was all theirs. Against the tide, Bowskill added to the lead with a second penalty, but Bridge were still not playing well. The pack had inexperienced players in vital positions, and it showed. After 30 minutes Dominic Mannion, playing his first game for the club in the centre, had his first pass and showed he could make ground. Then from out of nowhere centre Ben Senior picked up the ball from a ruck, made 20 metres laterally, before out pacing the defence and running round beneath the post leaving the scoreline at half time 13-0, which really flattered the home side.
The introduction of Oliver Walters at 8, from half time settled the pack and they began to win much more possession, which nullified the threat from the visitor’s runners. In fact, with the referee turning to his whistle at every possible occasion, the game became a bit of a stalemate. Luke Horton showed up well with a couple of runs from the left wing and prop Ricky James showed his scrummaging power, but the Rods defence held firm. Then a flash of real quality as scrum half Adam Frith ripped the ball out of the loose, it went swiftly down the line to centre Ben Westby, who sliced through the defence and when meeting the last man, coolly set up right winger Joe Jones, who had come all the way across the field, to dive over between he posts.
The game was won, but the last word went to the referee, who penalised Bridge 8 times in the last few minutes and centre Nathan Booth broke through under the posts, to leave the final score 20-7. Next week Stocksbridge play away at Sheffield Oaks, Niagara and as one of only two teams who can deny them promotion they hope for as much support as possible.