Dearne travelled to Stocksbridge last Saturday afternoon as they continued their Yorkshire 4 league campaign and looked to build on last weeks victory over Maltby RUFC.

In usual fashion, the boys were treated with bright sunshine when they arrived, which quickly turned to dark clouds and wind, before turning to rain, and then returning to sunshine again as they quickly became aware of the fact not only would they be up against Stocksbridge today, but also their own micro climate up near the peak district!

Dearne started brightly, experiencing a period of pressure in the Stocksbridge half. An early penalty 40 metres out unfortunately sailed wide for Stephen Shaw. However, not long later he had another opportunity this time on the 22 metre line in front of the posts to open the away teams account for the day. The scoreline 0-3 with 5 minutes played.

As the wind and rain increased, Dearne then failed to deal with the kick off and spent the next 10 minutes camped in their own 22 attempting, and failing, to exit effectively. Stocksbridge put the men in black under copious amounts of pressure with their forwards carrying strongly around the fringes of the ruck. However, Dearne's defence held strong and besides Stocksbridge putting over 40 phases of attacking pressure on the visitors, they only had a penalty at goal to show for it. There had now been 30 minutes played and the scores were level at 3-3.

Dearne, finally out of their own half, then made a barrage of attacking runs down the middle of the field. Corey Cox was unfortunate to be held up over the try line. Not long later a scrum centre field gave Dearne an attacking platform and they showed great clinical skills to convert it into a try for Jacob Mangham in the right hand corner, his 7th of the season. Shaw failed to convert and not long later the half time whistle came with the score 3-8.

The second half began and Dearne now playing uphill but with the wind behind them quickly showed smart decision making by utilising the conditions to their advantage. A long clearance kick into the Stocksbridge 22 by scrum half Bradley Parker put the Stocksbridge full back under pressure. He failed to get good contact with his clearing kick and it fell into the arms of flanker Corey Cox. He drew his opposite number before passing to Ben Hartley who did the same before getting the ball into the hands of left winger Sam Holt. With 20 metres to go to the tryline and two defenders to beat, he showed yet again why he is one of the most deadly finishers in the league by coasting in for his second try in as many games. Shaw failed to convert and the score was now 3-13 with the visitors now having some breathing space.

From the restart Stocksbridge regained possession. Again they completed multiple phases of attacking pressure but Dearne's defence was outstanding. Pressure from the outside resulted in Steve Mason gaining an interception 80 metres out. Besides the best efforts of the Stocksbridge wingers in the foot race, he managed to sail in under the posts for Dearne's third try of the afternoon and second in 10 minutes. Shaw slotted the easy conversion and the score was now 3-20.

Stocksbridge again put pressure on Dearne with them finding some success close to the ruck. They made territory into the Dearne 22 once again however further defensive pressure by the Dearne backline resulted in Ben Hartley snatching the ball and charging 60 metres before being brought down on the Stocksbridge 22 metre line. Arron Kite picked from the base of the ruck and made further yards before quickly recycled ball found Corey Cox who again drew the last man before feeding Sam Holt to score his second of the afternoon in the left hand corner. Shaw managed to judge the wind and slot the touchline conversion and Dearne now led by 24 points. The scoreline 3-27 with 10 minutes remaining.

Dearne then had to withstand a period of sustained pressure. Replacement Thomas Bridges was immediately shown a yellow card within seconds of entering the field of play for a late tackle on the Stocksbridge fly half. Down to 14 men, Dearne again had to withstand pressure from the home side but again their defence stayed strong. Stocksbridge, now trying to force the offloads in desperation of a score, spilled the ball onto the floor and it was immediately collected by Steve Mason once again. This time the scrambling Stocksbridge defence was clearly going to chase him down so quick thinking by the Dearne outside centre saw him put a perfectly weighted kick into the left hand goal area for Sam Holt to chase down for his hat-trick score. Shaw missed the conversion and not long later the final whistle came with the visitors coming out comfortable bonus-point winners 3-32.

"Our attack didn't click, however our defence was superb today. For Stocksbridge to put us under so much pressure yet to keep them scoreless for 70 minutes of the game is an outstanding effort and shows the hard work in training is paying off" said Director of Rugby Callum Emery. "When we did have chances, we showed how clinical our backline can be and it's clear that any sniff of the tryline they get they will most likely turn it into points."

Man of The Match was awarded to Arron Kite for an all round display at number 8 with multiple carries in attack making yard after yard whilst also showing incredible strength and work rate in defence.

The bonus point victory cements Dearne's place at the top of the table with Medics behind by one point. The men in black now have a weekend off before entertaining Hessle RUFC at home on Saturday 30th November.

STARTING XV
1. Horrobin
2. Cribbis
3. Hamilton
4. Young
5. Williams
6. Thorpe
7. Cox
8. Kite
9. Parker
10. Shaw
11. Holt
12. Hartley (C)
13. Mason
14. Mangham
15. Duggan

FINISHERS
16. Moore
17. Hobson
18. Bridges
19. Eagle
20. Robinson