Stockport continued their dominant season with an 11 try victory over visitors Douglas. Played in dreadful conditions with a strong wind blowing across the pitch and driving rain for most of the time, it was inevitably a forward dominated game. The Stockport pack really stepped up, with 9 of the tries coming from them. The front row was prominent with hooker Dom Sheratte scoring 4 and prop Tom Gardner scoring 2, while fellow prop Paul McGoochin was held up over the line. The other tries came from No 8 Simon Green and flankers Ed Paulson and Callum Hibbs,. Richard Sackville-West and Callum Owen added the backs contribution, while Ewan Holt converted 6 of the tries, an excellent effort given the terrible conditions for kicking. While they continue to win with bonus points Stockport look to be the main contenders and need one more win against Vale of Lune next week to complete a clean sweep of the first half of the season.

It was the well organised drive from the line out that got Stockport on the board early in the game as a drive from 5 metres and quick feet by Gardner secured the first try after only 3 minutes. But Douglas had come to play and put some pressure on the Stockport line securing a penalty in quick response. However that was to be the only points they were able to score as Stockport kept them under pressure. Despite losing the first scrum of the game the Stockport 8 quickly established dominance and tries were added at almost 5 minute intervals to leave the score at 24-3 at the break.

The forwards picked up again in the second half and two scrums were driven over 30 metres and showing good control at the base Green got the first touch down of the half. After Sackville-West was held up after a good run to the line Poulson added his try to make it 38-3. The mark of a good side is that they go on from a good start and keep scoring, which Stockport did despite some determined defence by Douglas. A good pass by wing Jack Martin gave Sackville-West his try as space was created for him to run in close to the posts. Martin was put clear by a well timed pass from Owen but the defender did just enough to make him kick ahead and the move was stopped. From the ensuing scrum a good drive gave Hibbs his score as the game entered the final quarter. Despite the conditions and the 52-3 scoreline Douglas were determined to complete the game and Stockport started to be more expansive with some good running and passing and skipper Rory Austin’s pass gave Owen space to run in to the corner and score. With just 3 minutes to go Sheratte added his fourth to make it 67-3.