This was a crunch game for both Stocksbridge and Rotherham Clifton, Stocksbridge needed a point to ensure promotion and Clifton needed a win to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Clifton started the game with drive and determination and pushed Stocksbridge back for the first 5 minutes when an inspired kick took advantage of the sloping pitch to put Stocksbridge rucking out on the Clifton 5 meter line. Sam Turnell back from injury scooped the ball up, dummied the defence and dived over the line to mark the start of a fantastic afternoon for Stocksbridge. Scott Bowskill converted the try and followed with a penalty 5 minutes later.

Although Stocksbridge were now in the ascendancy it was not until the 25th minute that a brilliant move saw the ball passed from Whittaker, Turnell, Senior, Frith, Keenan and ended with Christofferson running the ball over for their second try which Bowskill duly converted. This now set the tone for Stocksbridge and although Clifton never gave up and still had forays into the Stocksbridge half they never looked like scoring.

Turnell got his second try 5 minutes later and although Bowskill missed the conversion he succeeded with a penalty a few minutes later. When Frith scored a few minutes after that, the Stocksbridge fans went wild, the forth try secured the vital bonus point they needed to get promotion. Scott converted to put Stocksbridge 32 - 0 up at half time.
The second half was relatively uneventful apart from a great individual effort from Cockney Joe, who side stepped three players and out run two more to score after 60 minutes, and then 5 minutes before full time a well worked team move saw Dave Potts sprint the last 30 yards to score.
This promotion has been on the cards for more than a season and is the culmination of 4 years of graft from the whole squad and coaches. The second team has backed the first team all season with many players being called from the seconds to reward outstanding play and fill in for injuries.

44 – 0 and a 5 point win was a fitting end to a fantastic season and puts Stocksbridge 10 points ahead of their nearest rivals. This is a well deserved promotion for Stocksbridge and one that reflects the forward looking ethos spreading through the club.