In the most frustrating of seasons Stockport’s first team have gone from the ridiculous to the sublime in the space of 14 days. After losing to bottom of the table Sandbach and then snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Anselmian’s, Port looked odds on favourite to lose 3 in a row when they hosted table topping Rossendale with only Head coach Tom Eaton giving the boys a chance of pulling off the shock of the day in Northwest rugby. (He genuinely said that on the morning of the game, but then again, he’s slightly mad so nobody believed him)

Rossendale introduced Sale Sharks Albert Bradshaw into their starting line-up to strengthen a back line shorn of their Galactico triumvirate of Solomona, McGuigan & Leota with Port suffering the loss of the injured Eaton with Ewan Holt switching to flyhalf.

The game started off much as the form book expected with Rossendale scoring a well worked early try from a lineout that found their fullback cutting a superb line for a simple converted try. The game had barely restarted when the home side found themselves back under their own posts after a maul was driven over for another converted try.

Rossendale’s lead could and should have been stretched to 21-0 after a patient build up saw a pass go behind the player with an open run to the line but games change on pivotal moments like this, and it was to be Port who registered the next score.

Skipper Rory Austin drove deep into the Rossendale 22 before the ball was taken on by the pack before being fed to back row Owen McPherson who powered his way over with four defenders failing to keep him out, Ewan Holt added the extras.
Port then scored their second of the day after another barnstorming run from McPherson set up scrum half Rory Austin who sniped over from close range with Ewan Holt hitting the post with the conversion.

The rest of the half though belonged to Rossendale as they extended their lead with a further three tries to take what looked an unassailable 12-33 lead into the half time break.

The second half commenced with Port quickly reducing the deficit as the pack drove the Rossendale pack backwards before Alex Panchetis found Rory Atwill who then stepped his man to score with an excellent Holt conversion bringing the score back to 19-33.

With belief growing Port then secured a bonus point with a fourth try after Sam Fisher was illegally tackled into touch with the referee having no hesitation in running towards the posts for a penalty try 26-33. The visitors cause wasn’t being helped by earning 3 yellow cards in quick succession which at one point reduced them to 13 men for a full 20 minutes.

With minutes remaining Port scored their fifth try after more good work from the pack allowed Cameron Hertz and Ewan Holt to open up the Rossendale defence for Rory Atwill to bag his second with a difficult Holt conversion falling just short 31-33.

With the game now running into injury time Rossendale sensibly played keep ball however the ploy of throwing bodies into protect the ball thwarted their efforts as a penalty for sealing off was awarded to Port. The penalty although not difficult was certainly no gimme and the game situation made it all the more difficult but that meant nought to the calmest man in the house Ewan Holt who struck the ball confidently to secure an) 5-point win over the league leaders.
A week is a long time in sport and after enduring the heartbreak of losing at home 7 days earlier to the last play of the game the Port boys revelled in their achievement of becoming only the second side to beat Rossendale this season, also winning the second half 22-0 is an acheivement in itself against such a strong side.

Full credit to the visitors who from their results you can see back themselves to score more points than their opponents and are happy to concede the odd try along the way which creates great entertaining games of rugby, unless you're a defence coach!

Man of the match for Port went to openside Owen McPherson who’s telling carries put the home side on the front foot all day.