Stockport extended their winning run to 10 games with a superb 5 point away win at Birkenhead Park.
Coach Tom Eaton was able to name a strong side despite being shorn of three hookers which would have a significant impact on the Port lineout.

The game kicked off with the home side having first use of a strong wind which penned Port in to their own half for long periods of the opening half and that pressure was converted into a 9-0 lead through the reliable boot of the home fly half.

Despite soaking up plenty of pressure it was Port who scored the first try of the game after a series of pick and goes close to the Park tryline saw second row Matt Larowich force his way over to pull the score back to 9-5.

At this stage the game was being taken to Port by a solid home pack but any momentum they achieved was quickly quashed by the excellent Port backs ushering their opposite numbers into touch every time they moved the ball wide.

The home side realised that to win the game they were never going to outflank a resolute Port backline so the only way was to try and go through them. With 5 minutes of the first half remaining the Birkenhead Park forwards laid siege to the Stockport line only to be met by a wall of resistance with Hibbs, Lawrowich, Hirstwood and Mantell in particular making some eye-catching tackles in a rear-guard action that seemed to draw the life out of the home side after they were unable to penetrate the Port defence.

The ref blew for half time and it was now to be Stockport’s turn to use the elements.
Tom Eaton pinned the home side back in to their half with some excellent kicking and within 5 minutes Port registered their second try after a charge down was chased by wing Ewan Holt who won the footrace and touched down in the corner which was then further enhanced by a superb touchline conversion from the scorer to see Stockport take the lead for the first time 9-12. The lead was further enhanced when scrum half Allister Green found space and sniped his way over to put the score 17-9. At this stage it was hoped the home side would start to capitulate but their pack were not ready to lie down as they went toe to toe on the Stockport line and after another series of short charges finally found a way through to register a try that was easily converted to see Stockport’s lead cut to one point 16-17.

With just one point between the teams, possession was always going to be a critical factor in deciding the result of the game and with no recognised thrower at the lineout, Port had managed to scrape their way through the day winning and losing possession at the line outs in equal measure. With 12 minutes of the game left Port made the unusual decision to throw to the tail of the lineout which would have been a good call on a calm day with a recognised thrower but Ports ambition was thwarted by a home jumper who picked off the throw only to be met on landing by man of the match Ed Poulson who thanked him and simply took the ball off him before feeding No 8 Simon Green who found space where there basically wasn’t any, skipping over for the bonus point try to finally seal the game. Stockport then closed the show with a try from hooker for the day Paul McGookin.

This was probably Stockport’s best win of the season and Port can rest easy knowing that any of the other title challengers will need to play to the best of their ability if they are to leave Birkenhead Park with the points. There is a really good feel around the squad at the moment with competition for places increasing week on week which can only stand the club in good stead for the rest of the season.
Next us are fellow title challengers at Headlands Road next Saturday.

Final score Birkenhead Park 16- 31 Stockport.