Stockport travelled to the Isle of Man for what has been a traditionally tough fixture, once again the weather was bad with driving rain and a very wet pitch. The home side dealt with the conditions better than their visitors and despite a close half time score of 7-0 to Douglas, injuries and a solid home defence resulted in Stockport coming home on the back of a 31-0 loss, leaving them in the bottom half of the table.

Douglas were on the attack in the first minute and it was only a finger tip touch down by Jordan Pearson that saved an early try for the home side. On 5 minutes Douglas created an overlap for their left wing and the try was converted by standoff Snelgrove. Stockport’s rolling maul was effective and on 15 minutes looked like getting over the line but the only out come was a knee injury to key player Simon Green, and he had to leave the field. 10 minutes later full back Rhodri Mayor also left the field with an injury and Stockport were without their two most effective attacking players. A penalty on the stroke of half time prevented the Stockport rolling maul from getting an equalising score.

With Green missing from the line out Stockport options were limited and Douglas scored after several phases with a try from their hooker, Snelgrove added the conversion and a subsequent penalty to take the home side 17 points clear. A further injury to Calum Owen meant Stockport were without 3 key players and Douglas took advantage with a try after a break in midfield allowed them to go 24 points up. Stockport then had some good possession and attacked well in the last quarter but the Douglas defensive tackling was sound. As the game approached full time Douglas secured their bonus point try after good passing set up a try, which was converted to make it 31-0 at the final whistle.

Next week is a home game against Vale of Lune, kick off is at 3.00pm.