Stocksbridge Rugby donate early Christmas present

Nestle Rowntree 23-15 Stocksbridge

PROBABLY the worst first half showing of the season eventually saw Stocksbridge Rugby suffer an unexpected loss on the road in York, to unfancied Nestle Rowntree.

This reverse means Stocksbridge were unable to gain any ground on Mosborough in second place in the league table, meaning that their next fixture at home to improving Stanley Rodillians now falls into the ‘must win’ category.

“We were poor in all areas,” said supremo Rhys Keenan. “We have to learn to get up for each and every game and not just when it suits us. I’ve asked the lads to have a good look at themselves this week and come back with an improved attitude all round next time out.”

Keenan, without the influential Aspin, Beal or Westby, also had to cope with Ryan Smith dropping out with food poisoning on the morning of the match. Bowskill was switched to partner Frith at half back, with Pat O’Leary recalled at full back and young flyer Connor Price earning a start on the wing.

It was a poor start from the visitors, who conceded possession early on, and from almost their first visit to the Stocksbridge 20-metre line, some poor defence allowed Rowntree an easy score to take the lead.

There followed a succession of errors, mainly from Stocksbridge, who coughed up possession almost every time they gained it, with dropped balls and loose passes gifting the home side possession and position.

Weak tackling made an average attack look much better and Rowntree gained in confidence as the visitors grew more and more frustrated with their own efforts. Neither team could really drive home any dominance and a simple penalty for another Stocksbridge infringement was converted before luckless props Joe Smith and Ricky James succumbed to a nose bleed and a recurrence of a knee injury respectively, both having to be replaced.

As half time approached, Bowskill managed to land a decent 40-metre penalty to at least give Stockbridge some points. Half time arrived with the scoreline 15-3 to Nestle Rowntree.

In truth, the second half was marginally better although poor discipline was beginning to take its toll on the travelling Pigs. Some decisions from the official incensed the Stocksbridge players, eventually resulting in a yellow card and a sin binning for skipper Rowett for speaking out for turn to the referee.

Stocksbridge eventually managed to build an attack, going through a few phases of possession and retaining the ball. This led to a good line break from veteran flyer Joe Jones who linked well with hard working back rower Pete Newton who barged his way over for a try, to possibly get Stocksbridge back in the game. Bowskill narrowly failed with the conversion.

Rowett’s indiscipline directly led to a further try for the home side and all thoughts of a come back were extinguished. Stocksbridge had the last word with Sam Whitaker plunging over from close range after another small period of sustained pressure and Bowskill added the extras.

Although Stocksbridge won the second half, it was too little too late, and the first half errors were just too many to recover from. Not even a losing bonus point could be achieved.

The SMP Pipeworks Player of the Day award went to Sam Whitake, who was just about the best of a bad bunch, with Newton, Price and Joe Jones amongst few others to gain any credit from the game.

“Just not acceptable in a Stocksbridge shirt,” was how Director of Rugby Andy Tyers described the performance afterwards.

“We’re two steps forward and one back again. We must find some consistency if we’re going to achieve our goal of promotion this season. We remain 10 points clear of fourth place, so it is all in our own hands, so maybe we can learn from our mistakes.”

Stocksbridge Rugby welcome improving Stanley Rodillians to Coal Pit Lane on December 14 with kick off at 2.15pm. Tyers describes this as “a must win” clash for Stocksbridge.

Stocksbridge Rugby would like to wish all their sponsors, supporters, members and players the compliments of the season. They look forward to welcoming you all at the clubhouse over the festive period.