Stockport continued their good form with an 8 try defeat of local rivals Wilmslow at Headlands Road on Saturday. This was probably Stockport’s best all round performance so far this season with a dominant forward display and very positive and accurate running and passing by the backs. Leading 15-7 at the break Stockport quickly secured the bonus point early in the second half and went on to double their try count to win by 44-7. Wilmslow did exert pressure on the Stockport line for periods in the second half but despite having two yellow cards and down to 13 men for 5 minutes Stockport defended well to prevent their visitors scoring any points in the second half. Stockport flanker Dom Sheratte scored three tries as he controlled the ball at the back of good forward drives. With 9 wins out of 9 and 7 bonus points Stockport remain top of the table but with Kendal having 2 games in hand it is vital that Stockport continue their winning streak when they go away to Birkenhead Park next week.

An early penalty chance for Stockport was missed but a good turnover and a penalty took Stockport into the Wilmslow 22 and good control in the drive following the line out gave Sheratte his first try and Stockport a 5-0 lead. After 18 minutes scrum have Alistair Green went blind from a forward drive and scored wide out, the conversion fell just under the bar 10-0. Stockport were looking well organised, moving the ball well but a series of penalties took Wilmslow to 5 metres out and after several phases managed to squeeze through the Stockport defence for a converted try 10-7. This was to be the visitors only score of the game. With Stockport running and recycling well into the final minute of the half another well controlled drive gave Sheratte his second try to make it 15-7 at the break.

The second half started well for Stockport and first phase possession from a line out was moved along the back line for full back Callum Owen to come into the line and score Dudley Southern kicked the difficult conversion for 22-7. Just into the final quarter good control at a scrum allowed wing Richard Sackville-West to run in and score 27-7. A break by skipper Rory Austin and good continuity produced a try for hooker Sam Graham to take the home side 32-7 ahead. Wilmslow then had an extended period of pressure on the Stockport line but despite conceding a series of penalties and having two overlapping yellow cards Stockport held out to clear their lines. With a Rory Austin try in the final minute and Tom Easton conversion Stockport looked to be done but they won a penalty at the restart and another well controlled line out and drive gave Sheratte his third and Stockport a 44-7 victory.