Sat 28 Nov 2015
Despite appalling conditions the game went ahead, & Stocksbridge were pleased to welcome back Liam O'Leary to the centre berth.
Stocksbridge Rugby again made the short journey up the M1 to Leeds at the weekend, to face Leeds Modernians in a re-arranged fixture.
Despite appalling conditions the game went ahead, & Stocksbridge were pleased to welcome back Liam O'Leary to the centre berth, skipper Keenan made way for Mike Hartley at hooker, whilst newcomer Mike Folliard replaced the unavailable James Lambert in the front row.
Given the weather it was never going to be a free running classic, but both sides tried their best to make it worthwhile for the few hardy spectators who braved the wind & rain.
The home side struck first on 12 minutes taking advantage of some hesitancy in the Stocksbridge defensive ranks to score in the corner, too wide to convert on this day.
Gradually the visitors gained some possession, & the forwards began a familiar rumble towards the Leeds Mods line, which sucked in all their defensive cover, & Scotty Bowskill played the numbers leaving full back Ryan Smith a simple walk into score, Bowskill also tagged on the extras, which was no easy feat in the blustery gale. Bowskill was also on hand to convert a further score by diminutive scrum half Tommy Hughes a few minutes later as more good forward work laid the platform for the No 9 to scamper over.
There was still time for swashbuckling centre David Brown to receive a yellow card, harshly for an alleged shoulder tackle, much to the disappointment of the visiting bench. Stocksbridge Rugby just managed to hold on to the lead & closed the half out with a 4point advantage, but would this be enough as they faced the hill, the gale & the pumped up home side.
With a forward oriented bench to combat the conditions Stocksbridge were able to call on Connor Brown, Skipper Keenan & debutant Mike Folliard to replace the whole front row, & all the team knew this was going to be a tough stanza. Stocksbridge have a resilient side, & a blunt defence at times & it was required for most of the 2nd half. Mods had to be content with a penalty effort as Stocksbridge defended their try line heroically, & the nudged ahead with a further penalty on 65minutes.
A mistake by the home side allowed Stocksbridge Rugby a rare attack & that man Liam O'Leary was 'jonny on the spot' to crash over from short range, & Bowskill made it three conversions from three attempts to edge the visitors ahead.
Both sides had chances to snatch the game, but Stocksbridge held on in the fading light to record a famous victory over a team who did the double on the Piggy's last Year, & move upto joint 6th in the Division Three table.
Pat O'Leary won the Bradfield Brewery man of the match award, with slammin Sam Whitaker & the rejuvenated Scotty Bowskill pushing him close, these were the pick of some excellent contributions all round.
David Brown has scooped the Bradfield Brewery player of the Month award for his excellent form during the games, brother Ben came a close 2nd.
Celebrations all round at the final whistle, as Stocksbridge Rugby finally turned their power into points, a relieved Head Coach said 'it was a magnificent effort today by all the boys, it wasn't pretty or very fluent, but they showed bags of character & I'm pleased they got the reward for their efforts', Tyers adding 'this should give the guys some confidence that we really can compete with the best in this Division, & we'll find out next week, when high flying Goole are in Stocksbridge, but we'll be ready for them.'
Kick off on Saturday is 2.15pm at Coal Pit Lane, & all are welcome, as the Clubs charity 2016 calendars go on sale this weekend too.
Despite appalling conditions the game went ahead, & Stocksbridge were pleased to welcome back Liam O'Leary to the centre berth, skipper Keenan made way for Mike Hartley at hooker, whilst newcomer Mike Folliard replaced the unavailable James Lambert in the front row.
Given the weather it was never going to be a free running classic, but both sides tried their best to make it worthwhile for the few hardy spectators who braved the wind & rain.
The home side struck first on 12 minutes taking advantage of some hesitancy in the Stocksbridge defensive ranks to score in the corner, too wide to convert on this day.
Gradually the visitors gained some possession, & the forwards began a familiar rumble towards the Leeds Mods line, which sucked in all their defensive cover, & Scotty Bowskill played the numbers leaving full back Ryan Smith a simple walk into score, Bowskill also tagged on the extras, which was no easy feat in the blustery gale. Bowskill was also on hand to convert a further score by diminutive scrum half Tommy Hughes a few minutes later as more good forward work laid the platform for the No 9 to scamper over.
There was still time for swashbuckling centre David Brown to receive a yellow card, harshly for an alleged shoulder tackle, much to the disappointment of the visiting bench. Stocksbridge Rugby just managed to hold on to the lead & closed the half out with a 4point advantage, but would this be enough as they faced the hill, the gale & the pumped up home side.
With a forward oriented bench to combat the conditions Stocksbridge were able to call on Connor Brown, Skipper Keenan & debutant Mike Folliard to replace the whole front row, & all the team knew this was going to be a tough stanza. Stocksbridge have a resilient side, & a blunt defence at times & it was required for most of the 2nd half. Mods had to be content with a penalty effort as Stocksbridge defended their try line heroically, & the nudged ahead with a further penalty on 65minutes.
A mistake by the home side allowed Stocksbridge Rugby a rare attack & that man Liam O'Leary was 'jonny on the spot' to crash over from short range, & Bowskill made it three conversions from three attempts to edge the visitors ahead.
Both sides had chances to snatch the game, but Stocksbridge held on in the fading light to record a famous victory over a team who did the double on the Piggy's last Year, & move upto joint 6th in the Division Three table.
Pat O'Leary won the Bradfield Brewery man of the match award, with slammin Sam Whitaker & the rejuvenated Scotty Bowskill pushing him close, these were the pick of some excellent contributions all round.
David Brown has scooped the Bradfield Brewery player of the Month award for his excellent form during the games, brother Ben came a close 2nd.
Celebrations all round at the final whistle, as Stocksbridge Rugby finally turned their power into points, a relieved Head Coach said 'it was a magnificent effort today by all the boys, it wasn't pretty or very fluent, but they showed bags of character & I'm pleased they got the reward for their efforts', Tyers adding 'this should give the guys some confidence that we really can compete with the best in this Division, & we'll find out next week, when high flying Goole are in Stocksbridge, but we'll be ready for them.'
Kick off on Saturday is 2.15pm at Coal Pit Lane, & all are welcome, as the Clubs charity 2016 calendars go on sale this weekend too.
