A Castleford side newly relegated from Yorkshire 2 posed a stern threat away from home, a fixture which had seen a comfortable victory go the way of Castleford the last time these sides faced each other.

Bridge were out of the blocks quickly in this fixture; displaying superb intensity in the opening minutes of the game. Positive phase play from the forward pack led to two penalties being awarded to the away side in the opponent's half - two unfortunate misses left the scoreline unaltered at 0-0.

Excellent physicality through the middle of the park, most notably from Terry Waller and David Brown, forced Castleford to begin searching out wide for any gain line success. A break down the left flank for the home side brought them inches from the line, and they were able to take advantage of poor guard defence at the ruck to draw first blood with a 7 point lead 15 minutes into the game.

With a change of tact Stocksbridge went to their dominant line out from a midfield penalty and struck back immediately. A superbly set driving maul allowed Rhys Keenan (sponsored by Mick Gribbins) to dive over from close range, the game resumed at 7-5.

Uncompromising physicality continued to be a theme of the away side’s play; great pressure forced a knock on onto to which skipper Pete Newton was able to pounce and find ‘the Deepcar Express’ Stefan Kazmierski (sponsored by BM Decorating Services) in space who ran in confidently for the team’s second try of the afternoon.

Stockbridge appeared to be heading into the break with a commanding lead, however losing the bind at scrum time in kicking territory meant Castleford were able to reduce the deficit the 12-10 with a penalty just before half time.

Stocksbridge started the second half as they ended the first, conceding a penalty at the breakdown within their own half. The three points were converted to see Castleford reclaim a slight lead with the score sitting at 13-12.

In what had proved to be a very tight game the lead changed hands a further time when Pete Newton (sponsored by Ben Parkin Art)broke the line from the 22 and with a firm fend on the full back was able to ground the ball uncontested.

Fan favourite Liam O’Leary was introduced bringing his unmistakable energy from the bench for his first outing of the season but as is often the case, a 6 point lead is never safe and at 19-13 this proved to be painfully accurate as a loose pass from the Castleford Scrum half was hacked on and sat up kindly in goal to be grounded by the fullback. The successful conversion represented the last points scored on the day as Castleford took the spoils as the game ended 20 points to 19.

Ill-discipline either side of half time has to stand out in a one point loss, nevertheless a much improved continuity in attack and fantastic resilience in defence will surely see a first win of the season come to Stocksbridge in the near future.

Debutante Terry Waller took the man of the match award for a dominant 80 minute display in the front row. Other notable performances included both Brown brothers, with David looking unstoppable in midfield on his return and backrow turned prop Ben (sponsored by Sid's Fish Bar) impressing both in the tight and open play.

Report by Michael Quinn