On the back of 3 wins Stockport hosted Burnage in this postponed fixture, a local derby that Burnage have had the better of in recent times. It was Burnage who came out on top after their very fast backs demonstrated the benefits of counter attacking at pace and a good offloading game. With Stockport fielding several replacements due to absence of regular players it was an even first half that ended with Stockport 18-12 ahead, benefitting from another dominant performance by the forwards and good discipline with only one penalty conceded. However after the break the Burnage backs, supported by a very quick back row scored three tries in 10 minutes just after the break and added a further try to secure a convincing 23-43 win against their hosts, who added an unconverted try to their half time score.

Stockport Number 8 Ryan Hanson was very much in evidence in the opening exchanges, with some powerful running into the Burnage 22, an offside penalty was awarded and stand in goal kicker Harry Rapley landed the penalty to put Stockport ahead after only 2 minutes. Rapley added a second penalty after Kieran Hibbs was prevented from turning over as the Burnage player held onto the ball. Stockport produced several good attacking phases before Rapley narrowly missed a 3rd penalty attempt. Burnage attacked but Stockport made a good turnover, with the clearance not reaching touch the Burnage counter attack proved its threat with a try as the ball was moved quickly across the pitch and the right wing scored as Stockport missed some crucial tackles, 6-5 after 22 minutes. Stockport set up a line out on the Burnage 22 new flanker Will Connor took the line out well and a controlled drive took the maul 20 metres and lock James Shaw touched down. Rapley was on target to take Stockport into a 13-5 lead. Burnage closed the gap with some strong play, offloading well to create space for their flanker to feed the wing who went in under the posts, the conversion a formality and it was 13-12. Another great drive by the Stockport forwards took the ball to the Burnage line and as it was moved left by skipper Rory Austin and Rapley 17 year old debutant Andy Cocoran scored in the corner to make it 18-12 at the break.

An early penalty for Burnage closed the gap before they scored three quick tries with their fast, well supported counter attacking, going in under the posts on each occasion to go into the lead at 18-36 as the game went into the final quarter. Stockport replied with a try for Hanson as another well organised drive from a line out took the score to 23- 36. With Stockport failing to find touch another counter attack gave the Burnage No 7 Keir Merrick his third try to put the game out of Stockport’s reach at 23-43. Despite finishing on the attack Stockport were unable to secure a try bonus point and stay in 8th place in the table.

Next week is another home fixture against Bowdon.