Sat 17 Sep 2022
Stocksbridge fall to a 8-17 loss in the 77th minute.
Stocksbridge fielded 4 debuts from the for the fixture, bringing in Harrison Norman in at outside centre & Dylan O' Keefe at fullback both stepping up from colts to 1st XV senior rugby. Also debuting was Jack Pearson chosen at number 10 who started his rugby in our juniors section and played his rugby in recent years at Rotherham Phoenix and Whitby Rugby club, but decided to come back to his routes to finish his rugby. John 'Saddo' Saddington also made his league debut in this fixture for the club, who has returned to the game from injuries which he picked up playing at his previous club Rotherham Phoenix. It is very positive for the club as this brings our total debuts for the 1st XV to 7 in only the second fixture of the season, with many more of our colts yet to appear.
The weather at Coal Pit Lane was a warm one with a dry field underfoot, so a fast-flowing game was anticipated. Stocksbridge opened the scoring at 12 minutes with a converted penalty from Jack Pearson, after some good pressure in the Mosborough half from excellent territory kicking from Pearson. More territory and play in the Mosbotough half occured until Mosborough won possession back with a scrum on their own line. An excellent scrum move from the Mos 8 & 9 put their winger and full back on a full length run from their line, however Dylan O' Keefe at full back and winger Liam Dyson put a stop to what looked like a certain score by putting the break into touch. Stocksbridge line out saw a mistake and overthrow, which the Mosborough backline scooped up and added more pressure to the Stocks defence, managing to work the blind side and scoot through to score in the corner at 18 minutes and converting leaving the score at 3 - 7. Mosborough gained confidence and the momentum swung their way, with an onslaught of attack from them onwards, which resulted in another slick backs move to put them into the corner at 26 minutes, unconverted. The remainder of the half Stocksbridge fronted up and regained a bit of momentum, the half ended up at 12-3.
Stocksbridge started the second half stronger, using the slight wind which keep Mosborough pinned down in their half. A penalty was awarded on 45 minutes from a classic Pete Newton turnover. Bridge decided to go for the corner, and it was the right decision, a perfect line and driving maul was set up, giving Mikey 'Vegus' Hartley a classic armchair ride over the line from the driving seat of the maul on minute 45. The conversion was unsuccessful, bringing the score to 8-12, giving the home side hope for the victory. The reamainder of the half stayed at 4 points difference between the sides, which was evenly matched. Mosborough managed to keep the determined and hopeful bridge at bay from a series of attacks. A penalty was won on 77 mins for the home side, which they opted to go for the corner in search of another drive over try and a game stealer. The penalty kick didn't quite make touch, with bridge not ready for the counterattack saw Mosborough run from their own half up the field to score in the corner from a huge overlap on 77 minutes to put the game out of reach for the home side. The conversion was unsuccessful leaving the final score at 8-17 and denying Stocksbridge of any points from the hard-fought game.
Many positives were taken from this fixture for the home side with all debuts having outstanding games, this gives a glimpse of a bright future for the squad. Many players are slowly returning to the senior playing roster too which will give the bridge an improved strength in depth with the new additions getting blooded in and some experience of league rugby. Next week sees Stocksbride travel away to Knaresborough on their first away fixture of the season.
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