Sat 23 Jan 2016
Globe Travel sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby entertained West Yorkshire rivals Halifax at the weekend, eager to avenge an early season reverse
Globe Travel sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby entertained West Yorkshire rivals Halifax at the weekend, eager to avenge an early season reverse.
Missing 7 1st XV regulars thru injury or unavailability, Stocksbridge were still able to field a strong squad, showing some good strength in depth. Liam O'Leary & wrecking ball Craig Donaldson were thrown together in the 2nd row, & Joe Jones was recalled to the starting line up.
A good crowd turned up to cheer the home side on, starting with the match ball sponsored by lady stewardess, Di 'the power' Taylor however, another slow start allowed the visitors territory, & a sweeping back line move out flanked the Stocksbridge cover for the opening score, converted for good measure.
Although Halfiax had the lion's share of possession throughout the first half, their pick & go style of play didn't cause the home defence too many problems as good tackling, with skipper Keenan, & back rower Spencer prominent kept them at bay.
Stocksbridge Rugby drew level on 17minutes, when good concerted pressure from the re-shuffled forward pack gave Donaldson enough room to smash through several defenders, & Bowskill was on hand to add the extras.
The visitors then enjoyed further territory & their tight forwards managed to out muscle the Stocksbridge pack & score a close range forwards try to put them back in front.
Some of the accuracy in the handling amongst the Stocksbridge back line was missing at times, but when they did 'click' a scything break by the fit again Deepcar Express, Steffan Kazmierski cut thru the Halifax defence, & found the supporting Westby who fed Pat O'Leary, who was tackled just short of the line in a thrilling chase. Stocksbridge introduced Folliard & Joe Smith just before the half time break & the jet heeled Ryan Smith on the wing just afterwards, as the half time score read Stocksbridge Rugby 7pts - Halifax RUFC 12pts.
The home side required a bit of bucking up at half time, to assert their authority, find their accuracy & to build pressure on the over worked visitors. Stocksbridge dominated the scrum area, & it didn't seem to matter who had the feed, as Keenan, & the rest of his front row union enjoyed a field day in the set piece.
The half time 'gee up' seemed to work as the forwards with Brown, Donaldson & Aspin making good yards began to assert further pressure on a visibly tiring visiting pack. The only way Halifax could prevent a score was to concede a penalty & the referee correctly judged a penalty try as the likely result, which Bowskill converted from under the posts to edge Stocksbridge Rugby in front. Hard working flanker Tom Spencer was next on hand to cross the whitewash with his second try in two games, as the home pack were rewarded for their growing superiority.
The visitors rallied towards the end of the game, but the blue wall side held firm, & a final score of Stocksbridge Rugby 19pts - Halifax RUFC 12pts sees the Piggy's move upto 5th in Division Three of the Yorkshire League.
Assistant Coach Mick Shouler said afterwards 'we were dominant for long periods, & could have won by more' adding 'we're building some momentum as we move into some tough fixtures for the boys'
Skipper Keenan barked 'we needed a result after a couple of reasonable performances, & this will give the lads confidence as we travel to Northallerton next week' The Bradfield Brewery man of the match award was won by 'smilin' Pat O'Leary for another faultless display, although Kazmierski, & Aspin ran him close. The club have a supporters bus running from the clubhouise for next weekends' fixture, please contact the club for details.
Missing 7 1st XV regulars thru injury or unavailability, Stocksbridge were still able to field a strong squad, showing some good strength in depth. Liam O'Leary & wrecking ball Craig Donaldson were thrown together in the 2nd row, & Joe Jones was recalled to the starting line up.
A good crowd turned up to cheer the home side on, starting with the match ball sponsored by lady stewardess, Di 'the power' Taylor however, another slow start allowed the visitors territory, & a sweeping back line move out flanked the Stocksbridge cover for the opening score, converted for good measure.
Although Halfiax had the lion's share of possession throughout the first half, their pick & go style of play didn't cause the home defence too many problems as good tackling, with skipper Keenan, & back rower Spencer prominent kept them at bay.
Stocksbridge Rugby drew level on 17minutes, when good concerted pressure from the re-shuffled forward pack gave Donaldson enough room to smash through several defenders, & Bowskill was on hand to add the extras.
The visitors then enjoyed further territory & their tight forwards managed to out muscle the Stocksbridge pack & score a close range forwards try to put them back in front.
Some of the accuracy in the handling amongst the Stocksbridge back line was missing at times, but when they did 'click' a scything break by the fit again Deepcar Express, Steffan Kazmierski cut thru the Halifax defence, & found the supporting Westby who fed Pat O'Leary, who was tackled just short of the line in a thrilling chase. Stocksbridge introduced Folliard & Joe Smith just before the half time break & the jet heeled Ryan Smith on the wing just afterwards, as the half time score read Stocksbridge Rugby 7pts - Halifax RUFC 12pts.
The home side required a bit of bucking up at half time, to assert their authority, find their accuracy & to build pressure on the over worked visitors. Stocksbridge dominated the scrum area, & it didn't seem to matter who had the feed, as Keenan, & the rest of his front row union enjoyed a field day in the set piece.
The half time 'gee up' seemed to work as the forwards with Brown, Donaldson & Aspin making good yards began to assert further pressure on a visibly tiring visiting pack. The only way Halifax could prevent a score was to concede a penalty & the referee correctly judged a penalty try as the likely result, which Bowskill converted from under the posts to edge Stocksbridge Rugby in front. Hard working flanker Tom Spencer was next on hand to cross the whitewash with his second try in two games, as the home pack were rewarded for their growing superiority.
The visitors rallied towards the end of the game, but the blue wall side held firm, & a final score of Stocksbridge Rugby 19pts - Halifax RUFC 12pts sees the Piggy's move upto 5th in Division Three of the Yorkshire League.
Assistant Coach Mick Shouler said afterwards 'we were dominant for long periods, & could have won by more' adding 'we're building some momentum as we move into some tough fixtures for the boys'
Skipper Keenan barked 'we needed a result after a couple of reasonable performances, & this will give the lads confidence as we travel to Northallerton next week' The Bradfield Brewery man of the match award was won by 'smilin' Pat O'Leary for another faultless display, although Kazmierski, & Aspin ran him close. The club have a supporters bus running from the clubhouise for next weekends' fixture, please contact the club for details.
