'Poor start costs Stocksbridge Rugby again'

Globe Travel sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby travelled to Leeds on Saturday in search of only their 2nd away win of the season, but had to settle for a hard earned bonus point defeat in a physical rumble with Bramley Phoenix.
Missing centre Liam O'Leary, & front men James, Hirst & Donaldson, Stocksbridge recalled veteran utility back Ricky Christopherson & gave a well earned league debut to promising back rower Tom Spencer.
Again Stocksbridge Rugby started poorly & a bit of a 'set to' almost from the off set the tone the visitors had been expecting & had prepared for. The home side enjoyed more of the early possession, with Stocksbridge unable to build any momentum or phases.
Some poor tackling allowed a soft try to be conceded, & a further score left the visitors trailing by 10 points after just 14 minutes. Eventually Stocksbridge were able to keep the ball with Beal making good yards, & almost from their first serious attack Bowskill sent centre Dave Brown on a rampaging run to the Line, & was on hand to convert. Bridge had another good opportunity with some aggressive defence leading to a turnover, & scrum half Hughes was stopped inches from the line. Stocksbridge were also guilty of over playing an overlap situation when it was easier to score than not, but they were back in the game. A right old ding dong affair could well have provided more points for the crowd, both teams creating further scoring opportunities, & both teams defending desperately. A cruel twist of luck saw an attacking scrum wheeled, the ball pounced on by the grateful home No 8 & a sweeping move down field for a further home score, to leave the half time score Bramley Phoenix 17pts - Stocksbridge Rugby 7pts.
Head Coach Tyers rang the changes during the interval, using the interchange bench to full effect, & the fresh legs of Joe Smith made an immediate impact. Stocksbridge enjoyed good territory in the second half, as they stayed with their game plan & attacked the home side with power & pace.
From a rare attacking position, & with a man in the sin bin, Bramley chose to kick a penalty, rather than test the defence again & converted a crucial 3 pointer. More Stocksbridge pressure & a good surging drive from Smith, well supported by Ben Brown & Beal tied the home defence in, & the numbers proved easy as Scotty Bowskill strolled into score a simple try however, the conversion attempt proved unsuccessful. As Stocksbridge mounted wave after wave of attack, 2 further Bramley sin bins created a numerical advantage for the hard working, almost desperate visitors, & with inspirational skipper Keenan forced off with a rib injury, Smith was moved into the hooking role. A succession of scrums, & infringements on the Bramley try line , tried the referee's patience & he quite rightly awarded Stocksbridge a penalty try, which Brown converted to leave just a point between the sides.
That was how it stayed until the final whistle with a very relieved home side eventually winning by 20pts to Stocksbridge's 19points.
'one that got away' was how forwards coach Mick Shouler described the result 'we really should have beaten them & they were hanging on for dear life at the end' adding 'we must start better, we're gifting teams the advantage before we start to play our own game'
Further injury worries for Stocksbridge Rugby as both Ben & David Brown suffered knocks, & Keenan joins vice captain Frith on the side line with damaged ribs. On a brighter note both Frith & long term injury concerns Steffan Kazmierski & Pete Newton have begun light training, although no return dates have yet been agreed. Dave Brown took the Bradfield Brewery man of the match award, with brother Ben pushing him close.
Stocksbridge Rugby travel to Leeds again this weekend to face Leeds Modernians in another game they are capable of winning 'we need to turn these performances & near misses into points & wins' said Head Coach Tyers adding 'we're not too far off, just need a bit more composure at both ends of the game'. Tyers also singled out a promising first team debut for young back rower Tom Spencer, 'it's great when youngsters come through the club system, & shows good strength in depth for the squad'