Due to an unexpected chain of events, despite this loss Stocksbridge Rugby get another bite at the cherry with a top four playoff semi-final at home to Thirsk Rugby at the weekend, where the Piggy’s will be keen to make amends and take the extra opportunity.

Injuries and player availability forced Head Coach Keenan to recall veteran playmaker Wayne Hirst, along with the evergreen Dan Lowe to the starting lineup. A surprise late inclusion of former PNG Rugby League International, and Sheffield Eagles legend Menzie Yere helped bolster the midfield.

On a small, undulating pitch, the visitors started poorly, perhaps trying to work out their roles and understand the new combinations however, they gave away several penalties and a kickable one gave the home side an early lead. Gradually the Stocksbridge forwards started to rumble down the slope, and with Woodcock, Newton and Tom Spencer making inroads in the Burley defense, it seemed just a matter of time before Stocksbridge would score. A combination of desperate tackling and a frustrating error count meant that all Stocksbridge had to show for their efforts was a simple Scott Bowskill penalty to bring the scores level. Scott is sponsored by Mr Byron and Mrs Teresa Turner. The centre pairing of Yere, and Liam O’Leary looked to be capable of breaking through the home line however, far too often they were neglected in favour of more forward grunt and chances came and went. Burley broke the shackles, and against the run of play scored a try of their own to stretch the lead. Further injuries to Roebuck and Bowman caused more re-shuffling of Keenan’s pack, and a half time score of Burley 10 points – Stocksbridge Rugby 3 points didn’t reflect the visitor’s dominance.

Stocksbridge took the game to their opponents in the 2nd stanza and were rewarded with a Bowskill penalty to bring them within four points of the home side. The visitors took the lead when that man Frith fed Yere, sponsored by Loxley Brewery, he danced around a couple of tacklers to score under the posts and Bowskill tagged on the conversion. Player Coach Keenan suffered a pulled hamstring, and Spencer and Whitaker also had to be replaced as Stocksbridge Rugby went down to the bare bones of the squad. A yellow card, and 10 minutes in the sin bin for Bowskill, for a high (seatbelt) tackle created enough room for the Burley winger to squeeze in at the corner to restore the lead for the home side. Stocksbridge produced plenty of effort in their play, but unfortunately lacked the composure for the final killer pass when it mattered most. The game changing moment came in the 72nd minute, when a loose Bowskill clearance was collected by the home full back, with nothing seemingly available to him, he rode a couple of weak tackling efforts, then sent a speculative kick into the Stocksbridge 20, and as Yere and Frith watched on in horror, the ball took a bounce only a rugby ball can, and went straight back into the full backs arms and he scored unchallenged under the sticks.

Shortly after Yere was harshly sin binned, as the official judged his thundering hit on his opposite number as a no arms tackle, and the home kicker slotted the resulting penalty to put a bit of daylight between the two sides. Stocksbridge never gave up, and to their credit had the final say when Hirst and O’Leary combined to send veteran flyer Dan Lowe, sponsored by Pennine Farrier over in the corner and Bowskill nailed a difficult conversion to bring the visitors within a converted score of victory. Too little, too late for plucky Stocksbridge who just ran out of time in their quest for a win. The final score of Burley Rugby 25 points - Stocksbridge Rugby 20 points left players and the coaching staff very frustrated.

The XPert Travel Man of the Match award went to Bowskill, whilst Woodcock, Hartley and the consistent back rowers Newton and Aspin were the pick of the rest.

‘It’s a bitter pill to swallow’ said Director of Rugby Andy Tyers afterwards, ‘we had more possession, more territory and more opportunities than they did, we just couldn’t convert them’. Before adding ‘we get another chance this week, thru the payoff system, so we will be making amends’.

Stocksbridge Rugby host Wheatley Hills 2nd string in the mid-week cup semi-final on Wednesday evening at 6.30pm, followed by the Shield semifinal on Saturday, when the visitors are Thirsk Rugby, kick off is 3.00pm, entrance is free and all are welcome.

The Piggy’s remain very much in contention for 2 trophy’s this season