Sat 16 Jan 2016
Credit & Pride Intact Despite A 29 - 13 Loss.
In a results oriented game, it's difficult to be 'pleased' with any defeat however, Stocksbridge Rugby came away from Doncaster based table toppers Thornensians with some credit & pride intact despite a 29 - 13 loss.
Missing several regulars, the depth of the Stocksbridge squad was tested with Hirst & Fletcher drafted onto the interchange bench, Liam O'Leary was moved into the second row to partner Jase Hirst, & vice captain Adam Frith started his first game after recovering from a rib injury.
The pitch was only passed as playable shortly before kick off, & the home side were on the board after only 2 minutes, taking advantage of a flat Stocksbridge warm up, & some paper thin tackling to cross for an unconverted try, Ben Brown received a 'stinger' for his troubles & had to be replaced by club stalwart Wayne 'dude' Hirst.
After the previous weeks fiasco at Baildon, Head Coach Tyers challenged the squad to respond & up their intensity. The forwards began to assert some authority with Spencer & Aspin dominant, & the defence pressed the home side, forcing a loose ball which Bowskill hacked on over the line, but somehow managed to miss the touch down, fortunately the impressive Tom Spencer was 'jonny on the spot' to score the try & Bowskill did manage the conversion, to nudge the visitors in front. Thorne always looked dangerous on the ball, & the Stocksbridge defenders with the Deepcar Express, Steffan Kazmierski back at full back held firm with some heroic tackling, & great scrambling defence. Another decent piece of possession resulted in a kickable penalty, & Bowskil made no mistake from 30 yards as he found his range. Still Thorne pressed & still Stocksbridge held them out, right until the final play of the half when the force of numbers just outweighed an overworked defence & a try was awarded to leave the half time score level at 10 points all.
The travelling band of Stocksbridge Rugby supporters sensed an upset, & the home side, not used to being kept at bay for long periods were having to work hard for any territory. Joe Smith was sin binned for a late tackle with a bit of afters, & Thorne took immediate advantage of the numbers to score twice during his absence. Still the plucky visitors rallied, & another successful Bowskill penalty kept them in the hunt for at least a losing bonus point. The game was finally put to bed in the 71st minute as the home side rolled a maul from a line out, & scored from close range to add their own try bonus point.
A final score of Thorn 29 pts - Stocksbridge Rugby 13 points does not reflect the effort the visitors put in, but it does set the standard for the approach, attitude & performance levels the squad proved they are capable of delivering.
The improving Tom Spencer scooped the Bradfield Brewery man of the match award, with everybody contributing in a massive defensive effort. 'I asked for a reaction to last week's performance, & I got it' said Head coach Tyers afterwards 'most visiting sides get blown away by 40 to 50 points here, so we leave without points, but with some well earned credit' adding 'we showed spirit, & some quality today, we must build on this for the rest of the season'
Stocksbridge Rugby are now 6th in the Division, & entertain rivals Halifax at Coal Pit Lane this weekend, with a 2.15pm kick off. The Piggys will be hoping to avenge an earlier season defeat, & a bumper home crowd is expected with free entry this week.
Missing several regulars, the depth of the Stocksbridge squad was tested with Hirst & Fletcher drafted onto the interchange bench, Liam O'Leary was moved into the second row to partner Jase Hirst, & vice captain Adam Frith started his first game after recovering from a rib injury.
The pitch was only passed as playable shortly before kick off, & the home side were on the board after only 2 minutes, taking advantage of a flat Stocksbridge warm up, & some paper thin tackling to cross for an unconverted try, Ben Brown received a 'stinger' for his troubles & had to be replaced by club stalwart Wayne 'dude' Hirst.
After the previous weeks fiasco at Baildon, Head Coach Tyers challenged the squad to respond & up their intensity. The forwards began to assert some authority with Spencer & Aspin dominant, & the defence pressed the home side, forcing a loose ball which Bowskill hacked on over the line, but somehow managed to miss the touch down, fortunately the impressive Tom Spencer was 'jonny on the spot' to score the try & Bowskill did manage the conversion, to nudge the visitors in front. Thorne always looked dangerous on the ball, & the Stocksbridge defenders with the Deepcar Express, Steffan Kazmierski back at full back held firm with some heroic tackling, & great scrambling defence. Another decent piece of possession resulted in a kickable penalty, & Bowskil made no mistake from 30 yards as he found his range. Still Thorne pressed & still Stocksbridge held them out, right until the final play of the half when the force of numbers just outweighed an overworked defence & a try was awarded to leave the half time score level at 10 points all.
The travelling band of Stocksbridge Rugby supporters sensed an upset, & the home side, not used to being kept at bay for long periods were having to work hard for any territory. Joe Smith was sin binned for a late tackle with a bit of afters, & Thorne took immediate advantage of the numbers to score twice during his absence. Still the plucky visitors rallied, & another successful Bowskill penalty kept them in the hunt for at least a losing bonus point. The game was finally put to bed in the 71st minute as the home side rolled a maul from a line out, & scored from close range to add their own try bonus point.
A final score of Thorn 29 pts - Stocksbridge Rugby 13 points does not reflect the effort the visitors put in, but it does set the standard for the approach, attitude & performance levels the squad proved they are capable of delivering.
The improving Tom Spencer scooped the Bradfield Brewery man of the match award, with everybody contributing in a massive defensive effort. 'I asked for a reaction to last week's performance, & I got it' said Head coach Tyers afterwards 'most visiting sides get blown away by 40 to 50 points here, so we leave without points, but with some well earned credit' adding 'we showed spirit, & some quality today, we must build on this for the rest of the season'
Stocksbridge Rugby are now 6th in the Division, & entertain rivals Halifax at Coal Pit Lane this weekend, with a 2.15pm kick off. The Piggys will be hoping to avenge an earlier season defeat, & a bumper home crowd is expected with free entry this week.
