Stockport travelled to Warrington with 2 wins in their previous matches and made it 3 in a row with an impressive 32-7 victory against bottom side Warrington, who looked much better than their league position seems to indicate. The Stockport pack laid the foundations for the win, with a dominant performance in the set scrums, the Hibbs brothers dominating the line outs and some excellent driving play in the loose. The front 5 all played the full 80 minutes and all made significant contributions. Throughout Stockport’s defence was well organised and Rory Austin and Ryan Hanson led the way with high tackle counts but all contributed fully. With 3 tries coming from the forwards and a well worked try by the backs following a great break by Tom Eaton, backed up by some accurate kicking by Dudley Southern, Stockport came away with a bonus point and with a game in hand to be played against Burnage next week could move up the table with another win.
Stockport started well and a break by centre Matt Blackman was followed by a great carry by Matt Lawrowitsch who seemed to have reached the line but was held up just short and Warrington turned over to clear. Southern kicked a penalty on 8 minutes before another penalty took Stockport into the Warrington 22 and the drive from the line out with backs as well as forwards carried No 8 Ryan Hanson over near the posts. Southern added the extras and it was 10-0. Warrington attacked from the kick off and looked to have created an overlap but their final pass was poor and Stockport cleared. Southern followed his own kick ahead but was stopped by a high tackle allowing him to add another 3 points for 13-0. The Stockport backs made some impressive runs but were held up twice. As Warrington had some possession Stockport’s aggressive defensive sets were very effective and they returned to the Warrington half but despite good pressure could not add to the score. Warrington finished the half with an attack from their own 22 but a last gasp tackle and a Warrington knock on meant no reward for the home side, 13-0 at the break.
The second half started very positively for Stockport with a try after only 2 minutes. The pack carried the ball some 20 metres from a line out on halfway and Tom Eaton made an impressive break through the Warrington line to set up Blackman for a 20 metre run-in under the posts, converted by Southern 20-0. With Stockport’s discipline very good and Warrington conceding several penalties there was the chance for some real pressure and with the home side making two poor clearances The Stockport forward drive resulted in another try as the game went into the final quarter, this time it was prop Tom Gardner who got the touchdown, there was no conversion to make it 25-0. After some more good defensive work Josh Scofield hacked on but was injured in the chase for the ball. Stockport had a line out and the drive won another penalty and opting for the scrum gave Kieran Hibbs the bonus point try and Southern's conversion made it 32-0. With only 4 minutes to go Stockport were unable to secure the kick off and the home side scored a consolation try, which was converted to make it 32-7 at the final whistle.

Next week is the postponed match at home against local rivals Burnage and Stockport will need another solid performance like this one.