Stockport travelled to the Isle of Man for their fixture against Douglas, with their eyes still very much on achieving an unbeaten record this season. In excellent conditions there was some good open rugby, with Stockport dominating the home side with a 0-53 victory. Such are the standards that this side set themselves that, despite the scoreline, they identified several aspects of the game that they felt needed improvement. A highlight of the match was a try by Cealin Mallon, his first of the season, following a high quality passage of play. Despite the margin of victory, Douglas were no push over and had the Stockport defence struggling to hold onto their tackles on several occasions. There were two tries each for Sam Graham, Ed Poulson and Richard Sackville-West and four conversions by Dudley southern. Later in the game an injury to one of the Douglas props meant there was uncontested scrums and Douglas were reduced to 14 men but by this time Stockport had completed their scoring. With a home game against Vale of Lune next week the league trophy will be presented to Stockport after the game and then the season concludes with a trip to Penrith for the final match on 23 April. My thanks to Richard Ebbutt from Douglas for the excellent photos that go with this report.

There was an early score for Stockport, as a well executed line out move on the Douglas 5 metre line gave Ed Poulson the first of his tries after just 4 minutes. Wing Dudley Southern converted. Good continuity from the kick off had skipper Rory Austin collecting the ball on half way and his strong running beat the Douglas tacklers and he touched down, Southern converted and it was 0-14 after 6 minutes. Douglas then had a good spell of possession and worked their way into the Stockport 22 but they knocked on and Stockport cleared. With 20 minutes on the clock another good passing move by Stockport gave wing Richard Sackville-West a try wide out, there was no conversion for 0-19. Stockport were able to turn over Douglas possession on several occasions when the home side threatened, before in the last minute of the half a great drive from a 5 metre line out gave hooker Sam Graham his first try of the game with no conversion it was 0-24 at half time and the bonus point was secure.

Douglas started the second half strongly and the Stockport defence was tested before a period of pressure by Stockport, a well driven scrum and a tap penalty created the chance for man of the match Poulson to get his second try to make it 0-29. Again Douglas attacked but they conceded a penalty for holding on near the Stockport posts and their visitors were able to clear. A good passing movement and a strong run by Austin created the chance for Mallon to score his try under the posts, which means every member of the squad has now scored a try this season, Southern converted and it was 0-36 with 25 minutes to go. A kick ahead by Austin was followed up and the pressure on the full back resulted in a knock on and Stockport controlled the subsequent scrum well and after several phases Callum Hibbs charged over for a try, again no conversion for 0-41. More good passing and open play created space for Sackville-West to score his second and Southern to kick the conversion for 0-48. As the game entered the last 10 minutes some very good sleight of hand by prop Paul McGoochin made space for Graham to get his second and complete the scoring at 0-53.

Next week the home game against Vale of Lune kicks off at 3.00 pm.