Stocksbridge Rugby rue first half performance

STOCKSBRIDGE 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.

Thirsk 24-19 Stocksbridge

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 evidence of their efforts.

The first half was a calamity, best forgotten for the visitors, asStocksbridge could not gain any ground, retain any decent possession or pressurise their eager and more enthusiastic opponents.

Some paper thin defending allowed Thirsk Rugby to score tries almost unopposed in the third, 25th and 29th minutes, slotting a penalty in the 21st minute for good measure, to give the home side a 24-0 half time lead.

Things went from bad to worse when Keenan’s frustrations boiled over into retaliation to an alleged biting incident and he found himself lucky to be only given 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.

Most of the play was now in the Thirsk half and they were hanging on for their lives, using fair 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.

The visitors were enjoying dominance in the set piece as well as the loose now and Beal was again the 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.

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.