Match Report by Clive Oldham

Penrith arrived very late at Headlands Road due to the M6 closure North of Preston. Despite their tortuous journey the Cumbrians provided excellent opposition in a fine contest, with the visitor’s rapid off loading game being a key feature.
Stockport kicked off with the elements in their favour and were soon into their stride. From a line out 10 metres out the Port forwards went on a ‘rumble’ with Gardner making the touchdown and Southern converting, 7-0. Penrith were also quickly into the game and after controlling most of the possession for the next 10 minutes scored a good try through excellent support play, no conversion, 7-5. The end to end nature of the match was beginning to unfold with Port soon back in the Penrith 22. Another line out resulted in a second try for Gardner, after the forwards mauled well, conversion by Southern, 14-5.
After the restart Penrith were back on the attack as they entered the Stockport half, only to have a pass intercepted by centre Blackman, who ran in to score with Southern converting, 21-5. The Port forwards were starting to show some dominance but Penrith kept sniping at the home defence with their splendid offloads. Stockport were able to exert more pressure after defending well and centre Coupland exhibited some silky ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ moves to waltz over the line, missed conversion, 26-5 at Half Time.
The Cumbrians started the second half well, attacking down the narrow side with great inter passing and offloading until Port ran out of defenders, Penrith try and conversion, 26-12. The momentum switched again with Stockport attacking down the right wing, chasing down a good kick ahead. A desperately wild defensive kick by Penrith was neatly controlled by Green side footing the ball over the line to score, no conversion, 31-12. Port were soon back on the offensive forcing a penalty, with the following line out thrown short and good inter passing by the home side’s tight forwards resulting in one of them scoring, as the gloom gathered. No conversion, 36-12. More end to end stuff followed and Penrith were able to score another converted try, 36-19. With 20 minutes to go the ‘floodlights’ were switched on, but alas on the adjacent pitch! The play continued to yo yo and as Port moved into the Penrith half, scrum half and captain Austin started a three quarter move and finished off by coming round and running a wide arc, executing a superb hand off to cross the whitewash, no conversion, 41-19.
Penrith would not give up, spending the last few minutes ‘camped’ on the Stockport line. Port were defending well, but following a lengthy stoppage due to a Stockport injury, Penrith forced the ball over the home side’s line, adding the conversion 41-26.
Night vision binoculars would have been useful for these last 20 minutes, but credit to all the players and the referee, as they kept a highly entertaining, competitive game going. Final Score 41-26, both sides collecting try bonus points.
Next week more League action sees Stockport visiting local rival Broughton Park, 2-15pm K.O.