Up against table toppers York RI, & missing Ricky James, Andy Beal, 1st choice goal kicker Scott Bowskill, along with half backs Ben Westby & that man Frith, Keenan was forced to use his playing rosta to the full. Tom Brierly was recalled to the 2nd row, & there was a welcome return for evergreen Ricky Christopherson at scrum half after missing the whole of 2019 thru injury. Luke ‘beetle’ Gentles earned a place on the wing, as former Papau New Guinea Rugby League International Menzie Yere signed off his short sting with the Piggy’s, before returning to Sheffield Eagles duties.

A chilly afternoon soon warmed up as Stocksbridge took the game to their high flying opponents, Yere made a break, skipper Rowett was making holes in the York defence, & Ryan Smith was running from everywhere as Stocksbridge dominated the early stages. The physicality was evident as 3 York players were forced to leave the field after some bruising collisions, with Woodcock using his bulk to good effect.
Stocksbridge for all their efforts were unable to force the score & were pegged back as York took advantage of some indiscipline around the off side line, compounded by a number of high tackles, one resulting in a sin binning for veteran flyer Joe Jones, to land 4 penalties, leaving the half time score York RI 12pts – Stocksbridge Rugby nil. That the home side were forced to kick these penalties, rather than look for the opening try of the game was of some consolation to the travelling Piggy’s. The half time message of more of the same, & to believe in themselves inspired Keenan’s troops.

Stocksbridge exerted plenty of pressure in the 2nd stanza to create some try scoring opportunities, but a combination of strong home defence & a touch of ill fortune halted their progress. Rowett broke from a scrum, & the hardworking Whitaker won the ball to give Christopherson the room to set Jack Spencer free, he found Yere with a simple pass & ‘the dukebox’ did the rest bowling over for a simple try to give Stocksbridge further hope of a result. Spencer converted, however the home side restored their advantage soon after from another frustrating Stocksbridge indiscretion at the break down, taking another shot at goal & the inevitable 3pts.

The 2nd half was full of good open rugby played by 2 teams looking to entertain, & both sets deserve credit for the high standard of rugby on show, it was however, the home side who struck a killer blow, rolling a maul from a line out to score an unconverted try, & open up a 2 try gap. Stocksbridge simply would not give in, & young back rower Jack ‘milky’ Martin went close, as did Yere again, whilst Fletcher was unlucky to be caught after a robust charge with the line at his mercy. The final few minutes were all Stocksbridge as the visitors pummeled the York try line, & really should have scored another try. The final act was a yellow card & a sin binning for Ryan Smith who capped a memorable performance with a bout of fisticuffs with his opposite number who also saw yellow, leaving the final score York RI 20 pts – Stocksbridge 7pts, the visitors still without a win in 2020 as they now head towards the play off rounds.

Keenan declared himself pleased with the efforts of his charges ‘it was a whole hearted display by a committed & passionate group of players’ he enthused, adding ‘we are heading in the right way, & we scared the league leaders today with our all round efforts & attitude’.
The Bradfield Brewery Man of the Match award went to the jet heeled Ryan Smith, with slammin Sam Whitaker again the pick of the forwards, in an all round team performance.

Stocksbridge get a week off this week to rest & prepare for the play offs, after a friendly V’s Sheffield Club on 25th January, Leeds Modernians away is the first mouthwatering play off fixture away on 1st February.

Match report by Andy Tyers | Director of Rugby