Stockport hosted Northwich, having had last week’s game against Burnage cancelled due to the wet weather. Clearly having benefitted from the week off the Stockport team performed well with some good planned moves in the backs and a solid forward performance, with the front row prominent in the set and in open play. There was a good start with Stockport getting a try after only 3 minutes and they completed a bonus point win with a final score of 31-21. However despite Stockport dominating possession the visitors always looked dangerous, with their full back looking particularly threatening every time he got the ball. With a close 18-14 margin at half time it was vital that Stockport got off well in the second period and they duly scored a try just 3 minutes into the half. With Northwich having more of the ball in the second half it was not until Stockport got a penalty by Dudley Southern on 77 minutes that the game looked safe despite there being an endless stream of penalties against Northwich, including two yellow cards. This home win against a side 5 places higher in the table shows the potential for Stockport to move up as they begin a series of 3 home games in the next 4.
The early try in the first half came after some good movement by the backs, a penalty gave Stockport a drive from a line out and as the ball was moved to the backs centre Nick Coupland put in a well judged kick for wing Southern to collect and touch down. Southern’s usual accuracy deserted him on the day and he was unable to land the conversion, 5-0. Just 5 minutes later after more good running by the backs another line out was driven and again Coupland was involved as the ball went out to the left he gave a scoring pass to fellow centre Matt Blackman, Southern added the conversion for 12-0. Northwich were swift to reply and as their 10 put in a chip ahead their pacy fullback collected and out ran the Stockport defenders to make it 12-7. The Northwich penalty count was significant in the match and on 22 minutes Southern landed the kick to take Stockport further ahead 15-7. After a knock on prevented the visitors from scoring what looked like a certain try their fullback was able to use pace and footwork to get through the Stockport defence and run in from 60 metres and they were back on terms at 15-14. Northwich looked dangerous but Tom Eaton intercepted a pass and the visitors had a centre yellow carded for a deliberate knock on as Stockport were making ground. Stockport had more good phases in possession and just before the break yet another penalty against the visitors gave Southern his 3rd success for 18-14 at half time.
Stockport lost Richard Sackville-West soon after the break but as Northwich continued to concede penalties a good scrum gave the platform for prop Tom Mantell to score and make it 23-14 as there was no conversion. As the game went into the final quarter a 5 metre scrum gave Kieran Hibbs at Number 8 an easy pick up and his pass allowed skipper Rory Austin to dive over and score for 28-14. Northwich replied with a try after a series of tapped penalties and with 13 minutes to go they were back in touch at 28-21. Good pressure by Stockport resulted in yet another penalty and Austin took the pragmatic decision to go for the posts and Southern was on target to make it secure at 31-21.

Next week is another home game 2.15 kick off against Altrincham Kelsall.