Sat 29 Oct 2022
Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby made the journey to North Yorkshire to play in form Old Otliensians in the latest round of the Counties 4 Yorkshire Division, & despite a depleted travelling squad, gave a good account of themselves, gaining a try bonus point in a spirited 42pts to 22pts reversal. Missing several 1st choice players due to unavailability & work commitments, Head Coach Andy Lawrence switched burly prop Gary Woodcock into the 2ndrow, young Jack ‘milky’ Martin was given a start in the hooking berth & ‘clock tower’ Andy Beal made the transition to No 8. There was also a welcome return to the club for mercurial fly half Paul Kelly, whilst veteran flyer Joe Jones passed a fitness test on his injured achilles to make his seasons debut on the flank. Stocksbridge started well, the forwards gained some good momentum, leading to ‘slammin’ Sam Whitaker, sponsored by S&M Pipeworks plunging over in the corner for the opening score of the match. Despite more good work with Beal & Woodcock leading the charges, turnover ball & some defensive errors allowed the home side with an exceptionally pacey winger to run in 3 converted tries. Half Time Otliensians 21pts – Stocksbridge Rugby 5pts.
Stocksbridge fell off the pace early in the 2ndstanza & ‘Ensians took advantage to score 3 further tries to effectively take the game away from the plucky visitors. Credit to the travelling Piggy’s tho’, as they refused to give in & hit back when that man Firth, sponsored by Brian & Dawn Mills, sniping from scrum half scored a fine try. This was followed by Andy Beal crashing over from close range &, with the final play of the game, a catch & drive play from a well won line out gave Gary Woodcock, sponsored by Mr John Woodcock, the opportunity to earn the weary visitors a well deserved try bonus point, with Pearson managing the conversion. Final score : Old Otliensians 42pts – Stocksbridge Rugby 22pts.
The point sees Stocksbridge Rugby maintain their 8th position in the Counties 4 Yorkshire League ladder, & the versatile & hard working Gary Woodcock was voted as the Funding Solutions Player of the Day in a tough day at the office for Stocksbridge.
Jack Pearson, sponsored by Hamshaw Plumbing, has won the Fox Catering Man of Steel award for October, for a string of powerful & consistent displays in the centre during the Month, Woodcock, Hartley & Martin also featured in the voting.
A frustrated Stocksbridge Head Coach, Andy Lawrence said afterwards, ‘we did ok considering the squad was depleted, it would have been a different story with a full 1st team’, adding ‘we need the boys to muck in & turn up in numbers for training & for a very important fixture this week, which we can win.’ Stocksbridge host high flying table toppers Rotherham Phoenix at Coal Pit Lane this weekend, with a 2.15pm start time. All are welcome.
Report written by Andrew Tyers
