Pigs score a sweet win

Stocksbridge RUFC 40-14 Nestle Rowntree

A BEAUTIFUL late summer afternoon at Coal Pit Lane saw Stocksbridge Rugby begin their league campaign with a resounding 40-14 victory over much fancied York based outfit, Nestle Rowntree.

With club Captain Rowett unavailable, along with Ben Westby and injuries to Spencer, Roebuck and the long Jamaican term Ben Brown and Steff Kazmierski, head coach Keenan was able to call on the growing depth to the first XV squad and still pick a winning team.

Skipper for the day Adam Frith chose to play up the slope in the first half and the home side soon got into their work. Forwards Aspin, Newton and Whittaker linked up well and broke the Rowntrees defensive line, Scotty Bowskill, celebrating his birthday, was in support, and took the final pass to score his first try in over three years.

He then converted for good measure. Stocksbridge have power as well as pace all around the park and telling runs from centre pair O’Leary and exciting newcomer, former international Aaron Kite, kept Stocksbridge on the offensive.

Andy Beal was next on the scoresheet, following up some great interplay with both backs and forwards involved, to crash over close to the posts for Bowskill to add the extras again.

Keenan rotated his forwards in the hot conditions and the fresh legs of Joe Smith and Danny Wilson drove the visitors back onto their own try line.

When Rowntree did have some possession, the collective defensive efforts of the home side kept them at bay, with some shuddering hits from the likes of Nesbitt, Newton and O’Leary.

On 26 minutes, Bowskill scored again, pick pocketing his opposite number to intercept and race 20 metres to the line, despite the close attentions of several defenders. The conversion was a formality and Stocksbridge Rugby ended the half with a lead of 21-0.

Given the heat and early season rustiness, Stocksbridge were never going to maintain the total intensity of the first half performance, and gradually the plucky visitors, who never gave up despite being under pressure for most of the game,dragged themselves back into the contest and held possession and territory for long periods of the second half.

For the Coaching Staff it was good to see how the defence held up under pressure. King of the turnover, Pete Newton, hurt his hand and had to retire, giving James Neil his league debut.

Winger Joe Jones, who produced an excellent defensive display to dominate his opposite number, latched onto a pass from Nesbitt to complete a wonderful end to end move from the home side and touch down under the posts, much to the obvious delight of his watching daughters.

Again, birthday boy Bowskill convertedsuccessfully. Stocksbridge were made to work much harder in the second stanza, and the visitors got some reward for their own efforts with a well taken try and conversion of their own on the 60- minute mark.

Full back Aaron Brown marked his full league debut with a solid performance, but had to give way to another hand injury, giving whippet Callum Green an outing at full back. Rowntree looked like making a contest out of the game with a further score as the home side tired however that man Bowskill had other ideas, crashing over at close range from a Frith pass, after a searing 60- metre break by O’Leary leaving several defenders trailing in his wake.

Again Bowskill converted, for a personal match tally of 25 points. Stocksbridge weren’t finished as another break from the outstanding Sam Whitaker set up a gap for the quick feet of scrum half Frith to score with the final play of the game. Bowskill was unable to add the extras, leaving a final score of 40-14 to Stocksbridge - fair reward for an encouraging first up performance.

There were several strong performances and candidates for the Bradfield Brewery man of the match award however Bowskill took the honours, despite the efforts of Whitaker, Ryan Smith, and Kite, whilst number eight Matt Nesbitt was never far from the action.

Afterwards head coach Keenan was clearly delighted with the result.

“This is just a start, but reward for the effort the lads have given during pre-season training. There is still much to work on, but it’s nice to start the league campaign off with a win.”

This week Stocksbridge Rugby are at home again with a mouth watering local derby against Sheffield Oaks at Coal Pit Lane.

Coach Andy Tyers added:

“We have struggled to play our natural game against the Oaks in recent fixtures. However, if we repeat this performance, we will take some stopping.”

Stocksbridge would like to thank Eric Lidster for sponsoring the match.

Kick off against Oaks on Saturday is at 3pm and entrance is free, so come and support the Piggies.