Sat 26 Mar 2022
‘Agonising home loss for Stocksbridge Rugby’
Another decent performance, in front of a sizeable crowd, in the Spring sunshine at Coal Pit Lane should have brought victory for Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby at the weekend, However, the rugby Gods were smiling on their visitors from York, Nestle Rowntree who were relieved to come away with a 22pts to 12pts victory in round 5 of the Yorkshire 4 Premier play offs. With clock tower Andrew Beal, & mercurial centre Liam Oleary absent through work commitments, Stocksbridge were dealt a further blow when ‘go-to’ back rower Pete Newton failed a late fitness test on his hamstring & was forced to withdraw from the squad. Young Jack ‘milky’ Martin was also recalled to the hooking berth as Mikey Hartley recovers from a shoulder injury. That man Frith,Benjamin Tyers & Callum Green were all restored to the pacey back division. Stocksbridge started well, & a succession of clever box kicks scrum half from Frith put the visitors under pressure, this was relieved when a series of penalties helped Nestle Rowntree up the pitch & eventually to a kickable penalty to take the lead. Stocksbridge, playing with enthusiasm & intent, roared back into the contest & a sweeping move through the backline was rewarded when skipper Adam David Roles-Middlehurst kindly sponsored by Mr M Taylor, jinxed his way past the last line of defence for a magnificent try in the corner. This was followed shortly after when more Stocksbridge pressure resulted in an attacking scrum, & a well worked, training ground move saw Frith dart one way, whilst No 8 Rowett sponsored by Charlesworth Landscapes Limited, scuttled off the base the other way with the ball, for another excellent score, this time close enough for the boot of Jack Spencer to add the extras. Rowntrees scored a breakaway try against the run of play, just before the interval to leave the half time score ; Stocksbridge Rugby 12pts – Nestle Rowntree 8pts. The 2nd half was a bit nip & tuck with both sides enjoying some dominance & territory however, injuries to Rowett,Fletcher & Whitaker robbed the home side of forward bulk & the visitors scored another try when the bounce of the rugby ball beat the home defence & fell perfectly for the gleeful chaser to gather & score. Nestle Rowntree were fortunate not to receive a yellow card on a couple of occasions & rode their luck again, with an intercept try as Stocksbridge opened play up looking for a score of their own. The final score of Stocksbridge Rugby 12pts – Nestle Rowntree 22pts flattered the visitors, & again left Stocksbridge wondering what they need to do to gain a victory in this tough play off series. The Mick Gribbins Man of the Match award was presented to Jack ‘milky’ Martin for a sterling all round performance as stand in hooker, Martin kindly sponsored by Asphalt Grid Systems, whilst Frith, Tyers & Green also showed up well.
The 1st XV make the trip to York RI next weekend, with the disappointing decision of having to replay the previously abandoned home fixture in January adding a bit of spice to the clash, before entertaining the students from Leeds Medics & Dentists in the next home fixture on 9th April. ‘The guys played with passion & good levels of intensity’ said the injured Peter Newton afterwards, adding ‘we just need a slice of luck to go our way, as this is another game we could so easily have won’. Good news for the club is utility back Daniel Burt has returned to training after suffering a fractured fibula, no date has yet been set on his return to 1st XV action.
Also in action at the weekend were the Stocksbridge Development XV or ‘Lockers Legends’, & despite a spirited performance there were beaten by a strong Sheffield Oaks squad by 43pts to nil, young pup Cole Staley-Howson was the pick of the bunch to claim the Fox Catering Equipment Ltd player of the Day award.
Tickets are selling fast for the Presentation Evening on Friday 13TH May, as popular speaker Jeff Probyn seems to be an attractive prospect. Tickets, priced at just £20 are available from Club Chairman Andrew Bell (07877 584499) Book early to avoid disappointment.
