Missing front rower Ben Brown, back rower Rhys ‘Gez’ Aspin & utility back Ben Westby, Stocksbridge recalled veteran No 8 Nigel Dowkes to the starting line up along with Ryan Smith on the wing, available again Ricky James also slotted back into the front row. Stocksbridge also added experienced backs Ricky Christopherson & David Potts to the replacements bench.

The bulky home side were already out on the pitch when Stocksbridge Rugby arrived at the ground, signalling their intent on a warm, Spring afternoon. The visitors had prepared for a tough physical encounter, with Hemsworth literally scrapping for their survival at this level, & they weren’t to be disappointed. A sizable contingent from the Valley helped to swell the expectant crowd.
The home side signalled their intent almost from the kick off, driving into the visiting half & would have scored but for some poor decision making from their full back, & a tremendous show of strength from the ‘Deepcar Express’ Kazmierski, holding up an opponent with the try line at his mercy. An infringement allowed Bowskill to clear the lines for Stocksbridge Rugby, as the superior technique of the visiting pack began to roll into action.

All action back rower Pete Newton suffered a serious looking knee injury & was replaced by Jordan Fletcher, the forwards gathered momentum & barnstorming prop James ‘Chopsy’ Lambert was denied a try by a hairs breadth after more dominant forward play. Further pressure created space for skipper Keenan to release the ‘Stocksbridge Tower’ that is Andy Beal who stormed over the line, only for the official to award Stocksbridge Rugby a penalty & a 10 minute sin bin for the home side’s full back for off side, so much for advantage !!
The visitors adventurous brand of rugby does have it’s disadvantages at times, & a loose pass was seized on by the home side who eventually rumbled over the line for the first score of the day, a converted try.

This Stocksbridge Rugby vintage have a strong mentality, & scavenging flanker Ricky Rowett lead the forward charges, with centre Dave Brown adding his burly frame to the cause making good metres & forcing a penalty which Bowskill converted to get Stocksbridge onto the scoresheet & back into the game. Stocksbridge created several try scoring opportunities, but a stray pass or indecision prevented further scores.

Promising young prop forward Connor Brown managed barely 7minutes action as a replacement before both his front teeth were knocked out as a result of a collision, meaning a trip to the emergency dentist for him.
With the home side visibly tiring & more territory & possession for the visitors Beal would not be denied as he strode over the line to give Stocksbridge the lead, Bowskill unable to convert & also missed a simple penalty just before the half time break. Half Time Hemsworth 7pts – Stocksbridge Rugby 8pts

The second stanza was a frantic affair with both sides committed to attack & defences working at a maximum, Hemsworth were the first to strike, as some weak tackling allowed the home side to retake the lead. Liam O’Leary was moved to the back row & had an immediate impact, winning loose ball & forcing a penalty which skipper Keenan decided to run rather than kick for goal. The resulting break saw Dave Brown barge his way over from close range for an unconverted try. Stocksbridge enjoyed more pressure & time in their opponents red zone, & some opportunistic play by Bowskill, charging down an attempted clearance kick, gave him space to pick up & win the foot race to the try line, the conversion was also successful. Whether Stocksbridge Rugby took their foot of the gas, or the home side found some inspiration is a talking point however, the defence went missing allowing a try from the home side’s charging 2nd rower, easing through some paper tackling. Veteran half back Ricky Christopherson was introduced to add a bit of composure, & the hard working O’Leary was rewarded for his efforts with a barnstorming run in for a try, after good work from Potts & Brown in the centres. O’Leary then had to be replaced, as Bowskill converted, to join a growing list of walking wounded on the visitors bench.

Try line fever cost Stocksbridge Rugby further tries as Brown chose to go it alone when a pass would have guaranteed a try for Joe Jones, but a tough, physical contest came to an end with Stocksbridge eventually winning by 27pts to 22pts, & a jump upto 8th in the table, their highest position so far this season.

A nail in the coffin for Hemsworth, but Division 3 rugby secured for Stocksbridge Rugby for next season. Liam O’Leary was the man of the match for a game changing display in the back row, & he was well supported by Rowett, Keenan, & Beal, in a generally acceptable team performance.

Head Coach Tyers said afterwards ‘this is a tough place to come & get a result, we knew what to expect & we weren’t disappointed’ adding ‘again there were good spells of play from us, but I guess we like to keep the crowd entertained’
Stocksbridge Rugby hope to make it 5 from 5 when the entertain Old Otliensians in a rearranged fixture at Coal Pit Lane this Saturday, kick off 3pm & admission is free, for the first of 2 consecutive home games.

Match Report by Andy Tyers