Stockport went to Wilmslow to face the runaway leaders of the league and produced an excellent performance to dominate their hosts and come away with a convincing 8-17 victory. After early pressure by Wilmslow the Stockport forwards took control with some good driving play and Stockport dominated for most of the game. The highlight of the performance was the whole team defence as Stockport prevented Wilmslow from making any real inroads apart from their try after 23 minutes. From 8-0 down Stockport took control and scored 3 tries and created several more opportunities that they were just unable to convert to gain a bonus point. While it was a great team performance the Hibbs brothers stood out with Kieran winning several penalties as he constantly got his hands on the ball following tackles, No 8 Ryan Hanson put in some powerful tackles and made some strong runs. in the backs Matt Blackman was a constant threat to the Wilmslow defence, while Tom Eaton distributed well. Wilmslow had to finish the game with only 13 men as their injuries reduced their number. This win gets the New Year off to a good start and bodes well for the second half of the season.
The home side started strongly and had Stockport under early pressure and Stockport centre Matt Blackman was yellow carded after only 10 minutes for a second off side offence close to the Stockport line. Wilmslow duly converted the penalty to go 3-0 up. Stockport had a good spell before a penalty to Wilmslow took them close to the Stockport line and their drive from the line out took them over for a try on 23 minutes, there was no conversion but at 8-0 this was the last time Wilmslow seriously threatened the Stockport line. Stockport responded quickly and a good run and kick by fullback Callum Owen was followed by a penalty and from 5 metres out the drive took pay infield and with an advantage for offside skipper Rory Austen had the strength to dummy and go over for a try to make it 8-5. Just before the break some good passing by Tom Mantell and Kieran Hibbs put wing Josh Schofield clear but as he headed for the corner the Wilmslow defender just brought him down to prevent a score.
A positive start to the second half and a series of penalties against Wilmslow resulted in a well controlled drive some 15 metres by the Stockport pack and as the ball was moved to the right Tom Eaton ran a loop and his pass put Callum Owen clear to run in for a well worked try to make it 8- 10 only 5 minutes into the half. Despite dominating both possession and territory thanks to the excellent tackling to constrain any Wilmslow progress, Stockport were unable to convert a number of chances they created. As the pressure on Wilmslow built they suffered a series of injuries, resulting in loss of a man as they had to go to uncontested scrums and they finished the game with only 13 as they ran out of substitutes. With the reduced opposition Stockport were able to create a try for Nick Coupland, after a forward drive set up a position for Tom Eaton and Matt Blackman to give Coupland the opportunity to touch down, Dudley Southern converted to make the game safe at 8-17. Stockport’s aggressive defence prevented any Wilmslow response in the remaining 8 minutes. Overall an excellent start to the New Year as Stockport look forward to a home fixture against Penrith at 2.15 next Saturday.