Stocksbridge began the game with only 15 players after travelling to second in the table side Knottingley, this did not impact on their intensity in the opening stages, however, displaying good ball retention up front and fluidity along the back line.

Despite this confident start it was Knottingley who broke the deadlock, breaking the line from a quick tap penalty on the 22 and offloading to a supporting player to dive beneath the posts. The conversion was made leaving the scores at 7-0.

Upon regaining possession Knottingley applied severe pressure as they worked up the field. As they got within the Stocksbridge 22 once more they found that their progress halted, and after a terrific defensive spell from they away side they settled for a drop goal that was dispatched cleanly by the fly half.

Knottingley added further pressure by increasing their lead without response; the inside centre broke through midfield from line out ball, and was able to draw the full back and feed the winger for their second try of the game. A missed conversion left the scores at 15-0.

Stocksbridge converted confident play into points before the break, with Ricky Rowett already being held up following some destructive running around the fringes of the ruck. Efficiency in the line out had given them plenty of possession, and as the ball came wide Pete Newton threw a miss pass out to Ryan Smith who left the opposition for dead to score in the corner, bringing the scores to 15-7 at half time.

Stocksbridge started the second half brightest, getting close with Liam OLeary’s weaving run exploiting the tiring forwards. Stocksbridge chose to scrum down at the resulting penalty in front of the posts, and with quick ball Pete Newton switched in midfield to fling a huge cut-out ball to Ryan Smith who threw a cute dummy to score his second try of the game. Scott Bowskill's conversion attempt from the touchline agonisingly bounced back off the crossbar leaving a three point cushion for the home side.

This time Knottingley responded strongest, hammering the fringes of the ruck relentlessly. Eventually a break was made and the winger was in support to run into the corner uncontested, stretching their lead to 10 points with 20 minutes to go.

The home side played conservatively for the remainder of the game, showing great respect for Stocksbridge by kicking to the corners. Handling errors from both sides removed any flow from the later stages; Stocksbridge failed to threaten the try line again before the game ended 22-12.

Despite losing, the attitude of the players was to be commended and the set piece was reliable throughout. Ben Brown (sponsored by Sid’s Fish Bar) was awarded Man of the Match for his solid work at the scrum and powerful ball carrying. Other notable performances came from Ricky Rowett who hammered the fringes for 80 mins and Ryan Smith who picked up a brace, showing great confidence with ball in hand.