Sat 28 Jan 2023
Looking for a fourth home victory on the trot, Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby matched high flying visitors Otliensians for more than 60 minutes before fatigue set in & they eventually succumbed to a 32pts - 3pts defeat. A late call from the visitors for uncontested scrums was reluctantly agreed to by the Stocksbridge hierarchy, even though there was some doubt about the validity of the claim. The power of the formidable Stocksbridge scrum was therefore rendered useless for the day. There was a minutes silence before the game in honour of club legend Mark Jenkins to remember him on what would have been his 60th birthday. Missing ‘clock tower’ Andy Beal & a re-shuffled back line with O’Leary back to partner Pearson in the centres, Tyers was moved to full back & the versatile Jack Spencer was given the unenviable task of marking the Leagues fastest flyer on the Otliensians left wing. Playing up the slope in the first half Stocksbridge proved more than a match for their free scoring opponents, gaining the upper hand in both territory & possession. The home side took the lead with a simple penalty from mercurial stand off Paul Kelly, after Otliensians were caught offside at a ruck. The kicking game from Kelly & his half back partner, that man Adam Frith kept the visitors at bay. When they did threaten some great cover tackling from Pearson, Aspin & Ben Tyers held the Stocksbridge line firm, Spencer also kept the rapid visiting winger in check. Back rower Pete Newton was sin binned for a high tackle, & just before the break, he was joined on the naughty step by Tyers for a mighty tackle, also deemed high by an over zealous referee. The visitors made the most of their numerical advantage & scored the opening try of the game from close range after a line out win & drive, to leave the half time score : Stocksbridge Rugby 3pts – Otliensians 7pts.
The visiting coach must have worked some magic during the half time break, as Otliensians came out of the blocks looking like a different side for the 2nd stanza. This time most of the play was in the Stocksbridge half, & only further resolute defending kept the blue line intact. That the visitors took the opportunity to kick 3 penalty goals, as opposed to their normal free running style showed some respect to the over worked & under manned home defence. There was a further yellow card & sin binning for an Otley forward for foul play, as was burly prop Gary Woodcock for some choice remarks aimed at the official. Otliensians eventually gained the upper hand & ran in a total of 4 tries to gain a bonus point victory that looked beyond them in the first half. They managed to get the ball to their star winger who showed a clean pair of heels to the cover defence to wrap up the result for the free scoring visitors. There was still time for Woodock to see red after a ruck incident near the end, leaving the final score : Stocksbridge Rugby 3pts – Otliensians 32pts.
‘a bit of a set back, but we matched them for long periods’, reflected skipper Adam Frith afterwards, adding ‘they’re probably the best side in the comp, so there are positives for us to take from this defeat’. The Fox Catering Man of the Match award was presented to centre Jack Pearson, sponsored by Hamshaw Plumbing, with promising young forward Joe ’half pint’ Martin, Rees ‘diesel’ Aspin & Ben Tyers showing up well. The January Man of Steel award, kindly sponsored by Bradfield Brewery has been won by club captain, that man Adam Frith leading from the front, with a string of consistent performances over the Month. Frith is kindly sponsored by Brian Mills BM decorating service.
Stocksbridge remain in 7th place in the Yorkshire 4 Counties league ladder, & have a free week next weekend. The playing squad will join the club members to watch the Calcutta Cup 6 Nations clash in the Manchester Road HQ on Saturday. A tough trip to near neighbours Rotherham Phoenix is the next assignment awaiting the Piggy’s on 11th February, while the next home fixture at Coal Pit Lane will be the re-arranged match against lowly Knaresborough on 25th February, with a 2.15pm kick off. Club Chairman Andy Bell says all supporters & ex players are welcome.
