Late show from the Seconds

For the second game in a row, Dinnington’s second team left it late before claiming victory.

Stocksbridge made a strong start and dominated the opening 10 minutes, scoring twice to open up a 14-0 lead.

It looked like being a long afternoon for Dinnington at that point but they rallied and, once they got themselves a foothold in the game, enjoyed the majority of the possession for the remainder of the half.

Midway through the half they drove from a lineout in the Stocksbridge half and after a series of penalties eventually got to the posts where Tom Shepard scored and Andrew Whittingham added the extras.

Two minutes later they were pressing the visitors’ line again but were held up.

Stocksbridge drove Dinnington off the ball at the subsequent scrum but their clearance kick was charged down and Antony Green scored in the corner to leave Dinnington two points behind at the break.

Dinnington made a slow start to the second half and allowed Stocksbridge to score again to go 21-12 ahead but their response was almost immediate.

Full-back Tim Burke came into the line to take a short pass and after juggling the ball got control to score by the posts. Whittingham added the conversion.

For the next 20 minutes there was little to choose between the sides with the only score being a Stocksbridge penalty which put the visitors five points clear.

With 10 minutes to go Dinnington stepped up their effort and were rewarded when Paul Briggs crashed over by the posts for a try converted by Whittingham.

Stocksbridge were spurred into a furious finish and with a minute to go they saw a drop goal attempt hit an upright and go dead.

From the 22 drop out the visitors came straight back, pressing the home line, but they knocked on and the game was over.