Having suffered a drumming in the away leg Stocksbridge looked to strike first, however it was Northallerton who registered the first score. Having earned a scrum wide close to the line Northallerton attacked blind and cut through the defence to take a five point lead.

The scores remained unchanged until late in the half as both teams battled over the centre of the field. With an attacking line out Joe Smith came on fresh from the bench, taking the ball on at the front and driving on. After a few forwards phases Frith found Smith on the short side with only the winger to stop him. The scores were levelled.

Buoyed by this score Bridge mounted on the pressure, making yards through the middle and down the wide channels. As they moved towards the line the Northallerton tight-head was shown a yellow card for handling on the floor. Bridge chose to scrum from the penalty, and as the scrum wheeled Ben Brown (sponsored by Sid’s Fish Bar) put the ball down. Bryn Evans, returning to the fold, nudged the kick for a 12-5 lead going into half time.

Stocksbridge continued with the dominant play after the break, adding a third score shortly afterwards from a neat blindside move that ended with Paul Kelly (sponsored by Halcyon Hypnotherapy) scything through the defence to reach the line. Again, the two points were added to make the score 19-5.

It wasn’t long before any nerves were settled as the bonus point try was scored after a wonderful piece of interplay between Dave Potts and Liam O’Leary down the right flank. O’Leary was held up over the line, and from the resulting scrum Dave Brown (sponsored by KB Ltd) could not be stopped as the 5 point win was all but secured.

Northallerton would double their tally, however, after prop Ben Brown was binned for a breakdown infringement. Setting up the maul on the 22 to bring the defence in tight they took advantage of the overlap as the outside centre scored in the corner.

Not to be outdone, Stocksbridge scored a fifth try with the play of the game. After a midfield turnover Frith found Smith for his second of the game, as the front row dazzled the crowds by running in from 40 metres defying all those who attempted to bring him down.

Stocksbridge target Harrogate for the chance to remain in the division; they trail by 5 points but will face them at home before the season ends. Man of the Match was awarded to Ricky Rowett (sponsored by The Gentleman Fox Barber Shop) for his constant intensity and work rate in the loose.

Match report by Michael Quinn