Stocksbridge RUFC

After travelling from Thorne, going thru the process of changing & beginning their warm up, including the toss up, Thornensians RUFC then decided the Stocksbridge pitch was dangerous & refused to fulfil their Yorkshire 4 Counties round 12 fixture.

As the visitors cited a dangerous surface, even with the Match Official happy with the conditions, this clash will now have to be replayed at a convenient time to both clubs. This is the 4^thfixture to be postponed in the current league campaign & new dates will have to be slotted in during ‘bye’ weeks. Head Coach, Andy Lawrence was understandably frustrated & embarrassed at the timing of the visitor’s decision, ‘we trained & prepared well for today’s game, & this has left us kicking our heels a bit’, before adding, ‘we desperately need to bring our 1^st team pitch back upto playing standard, or we will run the risk of losing further games’. This latest postponement leaves Globe Holidays sponsored Stocksbridge Rugby in 12^th position in the league ladder, just 1 point off next placed Richmondshire RUFC, but with 2 games in hand. Stocksbridge have now completed their 2023 games & will now look forward to 2024, when the 1^st game of the New Year will be at the Coal Pit Lane Stadium on 6^thJanuary against Leeds Modernians with a 2.15pm kick off. A great way to shake off the Christmas excesses, & the club will welcome back Skipper, that man Adam Frith after his troublesome ankle injury lay off.

With no fixtures during December, the Club’s sitting panel have decided to award this Months Premier Stone Worktops Ltd, Man of Steel award to evergreen half back Ricky ‘silky’ Christopherson, on the basis of his commitment to the club & not forgetting that Champagne moment away at Knottingley with a wonderful, no look, reverse pass accurately finding his target. Ricky ‘rooney’ James was a close runner up & will be hoping to recover from a niggly neck condition in time for the next game.

Despite the cancellation of the match, the Club’s Christmas Jumper competition went ahead as usual, & was won by Club stalwart Leslie Emmanuel Frith, for a seasonal carrot display, with ex-Chairman Andy Bell runner up with his light show.

The Club wishes all players, members, sponsors, supporters, staff, volunteers & the wider Stocksbridge community, a very Merry & safe Christmas & a Happy & prosperous New Year.

Written by Andy Tyers