This defeat now completes the home program for Stocksbridge Rugby with the South Yorkshire Trophy, Uniplex Bowl Final to be played on 24th April against either Yorkshire Main or hot favourites Wath 2nd XV.

Stocksbridge really have only themselves to blame for this frustrating defeat, they had enough possession, dominated the set piece and territory, only to fall short with unforced errors or needless penalties, to allow Thirsk to clear their lines. It started well for the home side as Scott Bowskill, sponsored by Mr Byron and Mrs Teresa Turner, slotted a simple penalty start the scoring after ten minutes.

With Stocksbridge unable to convert all their superiority into any other form of points, Thirsk drew level with a penalty of their own after 35 minutes, but for some goal kicking malfunctions by the Thirsk kicker, the half time score line could have been worse than three points all.

Bowskill nudged Stocksbridge into an early lead in the second stanza, with his second penalty of the game after some good work by the industrious O’Leary and the improving bulk of Gary Woodcock. The home side should have extended their lead however, more than once handling errors in the mid field cost them dearly. This week’s game changing incident, again completely against the run of play, came on the 68th minute, as a harmless looking Thirsk scrum won the ball, and their tricky scrum half set off on a weaving run leaving at least four Stocksbridge defenders in his wake as he scored under the posts to take Thirsk into the lead.

There was still time for the home side to press again and Bowskill will be disappointed with his place kicking as he missed a simple penalty to chip away at the score line.

The final nail in the coffin came as Newton broke through only to see his flick pass roll safely into touch for the visitors and the final whistle sounded with the score of Stocksbridge Rugby 6 pointts – Thirsk Rugby 10 points.

Utter frustration from both players and coaching staff alike, and Stocksbridge Rugby will have to improve all round on basic skills before the forthcoming Cup Final if they are to win some silverware to salvage a tough season.

The Pace Financial Management Man of the Match went to the hard-working Liam O’Leary, sponsored by SAM Business Systems, with Gary Woodcock producing another swashbuckling display to be proud of.

‘We just have to be better’ said Director of Rugby Andy Tyers afterwards, ‘I’m not sure either side produced enough to win this game, but we lost it rather than them winning it’ he added ‘the beauty of our sport is that we get another chance soon to make amends, and I’m sure the boys will dust themselves down and reflect on the positives as we prepare for the next challenge.”