It was with excitement that a good crowd gathered to watch the Stockport Senior squad take on Didsbury in a game sanctioned under amended rules, to take into account the need for reduced contact during the Covid 19 restrictions. This being the first rugby at Headlands Road since March it was a chance for the players, who have been training for many months to play in match conditions even if they were unlike what players are used to. Both teams adjusted well and the referee ensured a good contest, with scrums being replaced by free kicks. With no stoppages to reset scrums the game flowed well and after a first half in which both teams lacked accuracy the second half produced some good rugby and a good contest between two evenly matched sides. Didsbury had some powerful runners and a good off loading game, while Stockport counter attacked well and ran some good lines. Stockport fielded several young players, coming through from the colts and some real talent and potential was shown by these lads.
Didsbury got off to a fine start, scoring in the first 2 minutes after breaking through in the centre in Stockport’s 22. A try by Kieran Hibbs in a well organised drive following a line out 5metres from the Didsbury line made it 7-7 after 10 minutes. On 20 minutes new recruit in the centre, Tela Setareki broke out of the Stockport 22 and his run deep into Didsbury territory was backed up by Owen McPherson, who ran in the try. Dudley Southern converted for 14-7. Stockport conceded a succession of penalties as Didsbury retained possession and the visitors scored after Stockport knocked on a catch and the ball popped straight into the hands of the Didsbury second row and he put the No 15 in for a try to even it up at 14-14. A good Stockport attack, that looked to have put Dan Brotherton in ended as a penalty was conceded and Didsbury put in a huge 60 metre clearance kick. A further penalty for a high tackle by Stockport gave Didsbury a chance and their left wing picked up from a ruck and ran in to score, with no conversion the visitors led 14-19 at the break.
Tela scored early in the second half after good pressure by the Stockport forwards to even things up at 19-19. In an exciting and even second half. a try was added for Stockport by Rory Austin as he ran well to beat the defence after a good spell of recycling and good passing, again there was no conversion for 24-19. More Stockport pressure and a tapped penalty gave Kieran Hibbs his second try as he ran a great line to beat the defence. Harry Rapley converted for 31-19. Stockport put more pressure on the Didsbury line but the visitors defence held out and they got into the Stockport 22 following a clearance. They moved the ball to the left, where there were not enough defenders and scored an unconverted try for 31-24 on 70 minutes. Stockport wisely kicked a penalty in front of the posts to make it 34-24 a good decision as with less than a minute to go Didsbury scored a try wide out after a good spell of possession, there was no conversion and the game finished 34-29. An excellent afternoon all round.
The plan is for a cluster of 7 local teams to play a mini league, starting in January, lets hope it does go ahead.