Stocksbridge allowed Halifax to take an early lead with some sloppy defending around the ruck area. The defence seemingly solid, the Halifax back rower found the gap in the line only to be hauled down at the last by Scott Bowskill at full back. Quick ball allowed the winger to make full use of the overlap to score under the sticks, the conversion took the visitors ahead by seven.

Stocksbridge responded with a period of consistent pressure on the Halifax line, penalty after penalty keeping the home side from scoring. Eventually the Halifax winger was sent to the bin on behalf of the team, and after a string of well executed phases Joe Jones (sponsored by Phill Watts) jinked and stepped his way through contact to get the ball down. Bowskill dutifully levelled the scores.

Penalties from either side created a tight contest for field position as their defences held firm. The deadlock was broken on the stroke of half time; Stocksbridge turned over possession and a kick in behind forced the full back to clear behind the dead ball line and dominance at the resulting scrum invited Matt Nesbit to ground the ball. The half ended 12-7 as the conversion came back off the post.

The second half remained scoreless, but there was no shortage action between the two sides. The contest for field position continued, the two packs at loggerheads in midfield forcing an exchange of probing kicks from hand.

Stocksbridge came close to scoring mid way through the second half, earning a 5 metre scrum after disrupting a Halifax line out deep in their half. Unfortunately the ball was knocked on at scrum time and the chance to score went begging.

Halifax mounted a charge for the winning try in the last ten minutes, their forward runners throwing everything at the defensive line. Heroic defensive by Stocksbridge kept them at bay, a number of key turnovers in the final minutes preserved their lead for a well deserved win.

In a highly physical encounter it was number eight Matt Nesbit who was given the Man of the Match award, making huge carries with the ball and excelling in the tackle count once more.

Written by Michael Quinn