19th September 2009

Stocksbridge   31  -  Pontefract Pythons   13

Man of the match - .

Scorers - Try Wassell Con D Armstrong Pen D Armstrong

Yorkshire Silver Trophy Stocksbridge 31 Pontefract Pythons 13 The Pythons lost their opening cup game of the season after starting brightly and at one stage leading 0-10. After a summer of rebuilding the new look less experienced Pythons side is still bedding in but still shows encouraging signs. This was a game that they should have won but the score flatters the home side who score 3 tries in the last 10 minutes when the Pythons suffering from injuries and a lack of confidence wilted. Things had started brightly with the forwards lead by Rich Bailey and John Trevorrow made life difficult for Stocksbridge and Banfield at scrum half harrying his opposite number into mistakes. They took the lead when Standoff Mick Wassell intercepted on half way and romped home with full back Armstrong adding the conversion. Armstrong then added a towering penalty to extend the lead and Pythons looked in control . The loss of skipper Phil Liddle to injury meant a reorganisation and despite the home side scoring a disputed try Armstrong added a further quality penalty to maintain the lead. Slowly however as the visitors failed to press home their advantage Stocksbridge grew in confidence and game back into the game. In the second half despite good defence from Gav Wright Richard Armstrong and Dave Brown the visitors took their chances and killed off the game. Andy walker tried to probe whenever he had possession and Matt Jones and Ian Smith made good debuts on the wings but in the end it was not good enough. Pythons play the same opposition in the league next week and hope to learn from this match and build on their potential.

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Report by Flatcapper