Local Sport
Issue 1049
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Stocksbridge Rugby rue first half performance
21st February 2019
www.looklocal.org.uk
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ERNEST THORPE Halifax Road, Thurgoland 0114 2882152
MOT’s £35.00
STO C K SBR I D G E RUFC made the long trip to Thirsk without injured skipper Ricky Rowett at the weekend and couldn’t seem to gain any momentum in a disappointing first half performance, which ultimately lead to their 24-19 defeat.
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Mon - Fri 8.30 am - 5.00pm Sat 8.30 am - 12.00 noon beneficiary of some good work from the reliable Reece Aspin as Stocksbridge used their offloading game to good effect, he stretched out his huge frame for the score again converted by Bowskill.
Stocksbridge remain top of the table but will need to show more enthusiasm, intensity and commitment in the coming weeks if they are to stay there and win the competition. Head coach Keenan, starting at prop this week due to a lack of options, was forced to include development players and one or two may well get another start on the tries almost unopevidence of their ef- posed in the third, 25th and 29th minforts. utes, slotting a penalThe first half was a ty in the 21st minute calamity, best forgot- for good measure, to ten for the visitors, as give the home side a Stocksbridge could 24-0 half time lead. not gain any ground, retain any decent Things went from possession or pres- bad to worse when surise their eager and Keenan’s frustrations more enthusiastic op- boiled over into retaliation to an alponents. leged biting incident Some paper thin and he found himself defending allowed lucky to be only givThirsk Rugby to score
Thirsk 24-19 Stocksbridge en a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin to cool down. There were some necessary harsh words spoken at half time, with director of rugby Andy Tyers demanding a reaction and for the players to show some pride in their jerseys. Stocksbridge began to claw their way back into the game.
Bowskill found his range with some excellent attacking kicks, skipper for the day Frith was busy around the loose, barking orders at his troops and the forwards started to put some phases together with hard working Gary Woodcock showing up well. Big Sam Whitaker added some grunt to the pack and the
Stocksbridge scrum shoved the Thirsk eight back over their own line for Pete Newton to plunge over the line in the corner just too far out for Bowskill to convert, but Stocksbridge were on the board.
methods or foul to keep the marauding Piggies at bay. From more pressure Andy Beal scored the first of a brace of tries for him, latching onto a short ball from Keenan and powering over for Bowskill to convert.
Most of the play was now in the Thirsk half and they were hanging on for their lives, using fair
The visitors were enjoying dominance in the set piece as well as the loose now and Beal was again the
Five points down, almost total dominance and 10 minutes to play, added to this a yellow card for the home side for consistent scrum infringements and the travelling Stocksbridge supporters actually believed that the comeback could be complete. Frith was unlucky to leave a single stud on the touchline as he darted down the wing, Whitaker was held up over the line and somehow Thirsk hung on to win, with Stocksbridge gaining just a losing bonus point for the second half efforts.
The man of the match award went to Gary Woodcock, sponsored by Chappell Brickwork & Plastering Services, for an aggressive all round display. “The first half showed just about everything that is wrong with rugby at Stocksbridge,” said Tyers afterwards. “However, the second stanza was almost a total reverse, showing all that is good about the boys. They know what we expect and what our standards are; me and Keeno will again be challenging them to reach these at the weekend.” This week’s visitors to Coal Pit Lane are Halifax Rugby, who will be encouraged by the Stocksbridge result. Kick off is 2.15pm with entry free for all.
Directors confirm Stocksbridge District Golf Club is in good health FINE weather over the last week brought Stocksbridge golfers out in big numbers as 57 members played in round 10 of the Winter Cup and the result was a close-run affair. Conditions could not have been better with clear blue skies and mild temperatures and it certainly helped with
some excellent scoring. The course is in excellent condition and the greenkeepers are already busy with cutting fairways and greens. C. James (20) won the round with 42 points. J. Buxton matched (15) matched the 42 points but had a slightly lower back nine score. N. Wood
(12) came in third with 39 points and pipped P. Smith (24) with the same score, but a better back nine. Earlier in the week, the Dragons Section continued their own Winter Cup series. J. Leaning (17) won outright with 37 points. S. Murphy (12) was second with 36
points and N. Weaver (17) came in third with 35 points.
diligence of John Buxton, the club treasurer.
The Golf Club will hold their Annual General Meeting on February 20. Members will receive copies of its annual accounts that demonstrate the club continues to manage its finances effectively, thanks in particular to the
Current captain Frank Milnes said: “In a challenging environment for golf clubs Stocksbridge remains in good health. This is mainly due to the commitment of its playing and house members, but also the effective
management of the club by the directors and staff. The club has benefited from Sport England grant that has made major improvements to the course paths and putting green.” Stocksbridge Golf Club celebrates its 95th anniversary this year.
CHURCH BATTLE BACK FOR A POINT - WAR MEMORIAL LOSE OUT IN FIVE-GOAL THRILLER - U18 SIDE GO TOP PENISTONE Church overcame a string of injuries both before and during the game to snatch a draw against Bridlington Town on Saturday, drawing the game 2-2. Brett Lovell was ruled out in the run-up to the game and left back Andy Young was injured in the warm-up, seeing Danny Howes moved to his position from central midfield. Then, 20 minutes into the game, Sam Scrivens had to come off injured, with Elliot Firth also coming a cropper shortly after.
It was Church who opened the scoring after just five minutes with veteran striker Andy Ring slotting home. But after the two in-game injury blows, Nathan Modest levelled the scores for the home side and Bridlington were 2-1 up on 66 minutes with Jake Day tucking home a penalty. But Church kept going and Nathan Keightley pounced in the 89th minute to gain a share of the spoils. OUGHTIBRIDGE War Memorial could have closed in on the top three had they won at Woodseats Club but they were left empty
handed as the home side won by the odd goal in five, losing 3-2. After a slow start, Oughtibridge seemed to get a grip on proceedings but Matt White gave Woodseats the lead after just five minutes. An excellent effort from Chas Tunnard and a superb solo effort by Wilson Coupe had David Hudson’s men deservedly ahead by the half hour mark. But Liam Bryan got Woodseats back on level terms as half time approached and then the same player scored the winner in the second half.
STOCKSBRIDGE park Steels under 18 yellow have gone top of their division with an emphatic 10-1 win over Dinnington Town. Cameron Ronksley got on the scoresheet, this follows on from him making his debut with the reserves on Saturday after impressing in training. There were also two hat tricks - one from development player Brandon Whitfield and one from Jacob Gibbon. Other goals were scored by William Lowry, Ethan Wilkinson and Luca Defalco.
