FIRST DURHAM COUNTY SENIOR CUP FINAL REACHED IN 29 YEARS AS STOCKTON PIP SUNDERLAND
Stockton hosted Sunderland at Grangefield this afternoon in the semi-final of the Durham County Senior Cup, with the winners set to face Durham City in the final at a date and venue yet to be confirmed.
After winning promotion from Durham & Northumberland Division One in April last year, Sunderland have adapted well to life in Regional North 2 and still have a chance of reaching the promotion play-offs. Stockton knew they would face a stern test, particularly after losing 45–19 and 48–25 in last season’s league meetings.
Stockton were dealt a late setback before kick-off when fly-half Harry Williams withdrew with a hip injury. In response, prolific points scorer Ollie Shaw moved from full-back to stand-off, while Henry Rowlands slotted in at full-back. There was also a welcome boost with back-rower Henry Spence returning after a five-week absence with an ankle injury.
Both sides defended strongly in a tense opening, and it took 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Ollie Shaw stepped up to land a superb 45-metre penalty and put Stockton 3–0 ahead.
Five minutes later, the lead had stretched to 10–0. Shaw was again involved, finishing off a move that combined the efforts of both backs and forwards to score near the posts.
That advantage lasted only a few minutes, though, as Sunderland’s dangerous backline struck back with a converted try. Stockton went into the break holding a narrow 10–7 lead.
The home side made an excellent start to the second half. Charlie Doherty ran a lovely angle to go over by the posts, and the conversion restored Stockton’s 10-point cushion.
From the restart, Stockton struck again. A series of powerful forward drives pushed Sunderland back, before Lewis Gray, playing at hooker, forced his way over from close range for what was probably the most important try he has scored. Shaw added the conversion to make it 24–7, and Stockton looked to be in control.
Sunderland, however, had other ideas. They began to pile pressure on the home defence and were rewarded with an unconverted try, the difficult conversion attempt from close to the touchline made even harder by the strong crosswind.
A second Sunderland try, this time converted, followed a yellow card for replacement prop Jamie Douthwaite. Then, with 12 minutes still to play, Charlie Doherty was also shown yellow for a late tackle, leaving Stockton down to 13 men against 15 and clinging to a 24–19 lead.
Somehow, Stockton held firm. With Sunderland pressing hard, the Stockton pack kept the ball tight and played with real composure to run down the clock until referee Andy Flisher finally blew for full time.
Stockton 24 Sunderland 19.
It was a dramatic and deserved victory, and one that sees Stockton reach their first Durham County Senior Cup Final in 29 years.
Man of the Match, chosen by the Sunderland coaches and players, was Ollie Shaw.
Next Saturday, Stockton return to league action when they host near neighbours Darlington at Grangefield, with kick-off at 3.00pm. ... See MoreSee Less
1997.
Google was nothing.
Streaming didn’t exist.
Smartphones weren’t invented
VHS and Blockbusters were still normal.
Aidan and Jamie weren’t even born.
That was the last time Stockton RFC reached both the First Team and Second Team Durham County Cup Finals in the same season.
A huge moment for the club
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FIRST DURHAM COUNTY SENIOR CUP FINAL REACHED IN 29 YEARS AS STOCKTON PIP SUNDERLAND
Stockton hosted Sunderland at Grangefield this afternoon in the semi-final of the Durham County Senior Cup, with the winners set to face Durham City in the final at a date and venue yet to be confirmed.
After winning promotion from Durham & Northumberland Division One in April last year, Sunderland have adapted well to life in Regional North 2 and still have a chance of reaching the promotion play-offs. Stockton knew they would face a stern test, particularly after losing 45–19 and 48–25 in last season’s league meetings.
Stockton were dealt a late setback before kick-off when fly-half Harry Williams withdrew with a hip injury. In response, prolific points scorer Ollie Shaw moved from full-back to stand-off, while Henry Rowlands slotted in at full-back. There was also a welcome boost with back-rower Henry Spence returning after a five-week absence with an ankle injury.
Both sides defended strongly in a tense opening, and it took 20 minutes for the deadlock to be broken. Ollie Shaw stepped up to land a superb 45-metre penalty and put Stockton 3–0 ahead.
Five minutes later, the lead had stretched to 10–0. Shaw was again involved, finishing off a move that combined the efforts of both backs and forwards to score near the posts.
That advantage lasted only a few minutes, though, as Sunderland’s dangerous backline struck back with a converted try. Stockton went into the break holding a narrow 10–7 lead.
The home side made an excellent start to the second half. Charlie Doherty ran a lovely angle to go over by the posts, and the conversion restored Stockton’s 10-point cushion.
From the restart, Stockton struck again. A series of powerful forward drives pushed Sunderland back, before Lewis Gray, playing at hooker, forced his way over from close range for what was probably the most important try he has scored. Shaw added the conversion to make it 24–7, and Stockton looked to be in control.
Sunderland, however, had other ideas. They began to pile pressure on the home defence and were rewarded with an unconverted try, the difficult conversion attempt from close to the touchline made even harder by the strong crosswind.
A second Sunderland try, this time converted, followed a yellow card for replacement prop Jamie Douthwaite. Then, with 12 minutes still to play, Charlie Doherty was also shown yellow for a late tackle, leaving Stockton down to 13 men against 15 and clinging to a 24–19 lead.
Somehow, Stockton held firm. With Sunderland pressing hard, the Stockton pack kept the ball tight and played with real composure to run down the clock until referee Andy Flisher finally blew for full time.
Stockton 24 Sunderland 19.
It was a dramatic and deserved victory, and one that sees Stockton reach their first Durham County Senior Cup Final in 29 years.
Man of the Match, chosen by the Sunderland coaches and players, was Ollie Shaw.
Next Saturday, Stockton return to league action when they host near neighbours Darlington at Grangefield, with kick-off at 3.00pm. ... See MoreSee Less
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When was the last time Stockton were in the Durham County Rugby Football Union First XV and 2nd XV cup final at the same time
This club, these people ❤️🤍
The future is here…
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A life less ordinary ❤️🤍
A huge happy birthday to James H W Collins …Everything Stockton RFC aspires to be
Have a great day Jim 🔴
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