Stockport went to Manchester as the team top of the table expecting a tough game in the local derby. The Stockport team produced their best 40 minutes of rugby this season in a first half that saw them score 4 tries and win a penalty try to be 29-0 ahead before Manchester scored a try just before the break. Stockport started the second half well but, after a series of penalties and suffering from two yellow cards, found themselves under pressure from an improved Manchester for much of the second half. The home side scored the only points of the second period with a converted try and put their visitors under pressure for much of the half but the Stockport defence responded well to the test with some excellent defence. Stockport were unable to add to their tally but the final score of 12-29 gave Stockport a fourth 5 point win and they remain top, just one point ahead of Kendal, who won at Penrith.

There was an early scare for Stockport as the Manchester right wing was held up over the line in the opening minute. There was soon evidence sign that the Stockport scrum and line out would achieve some domination and after a scrum penalty and a line out drive Simon Green almost reached the line, the ball was recycled and moved left and Green was just short again. A loose pass took the ball out to centre, Setareki Talatoka, who kick passed to Richard Sackville-West, on the wing, who beat the cover to score in the corner on 15 minutes, there was no conversion 0-5. Just 5 minutes later a well planned line out move took lock Ed Paulson into the Manchester 22, he exchanged passes with Dom Sheratte and the ball was moved quickly wide to the left and fullback Callum Owen, who had another excellent game, scored for 0-10. After a brief visit by Manchester to the Stockport 22, good continuity by Stockport took them into a scoring position on the right and after an offence by Manchester at the ruck a penalty try was awarded to make it 0-17 on 25 minutes. After more good play and pressure by Stockport a free kick was tapped and Sheratte and West made ground down the right touch line, Paulson was in support and he beat the defenders to run in from the 22 and secure the bonus point at 0-22. Stockport pushed a scrum 20 metres with good control and secured a penalty. A further penalty for offside allowed Green the chance to take a quick tap and score under the posts, Ewan Holt converted to give Stockport their 29 points, Manchester exerted some pressure after Stockport conceded a series of penalties and following a yellow card for Talatoka the home side scored an unconverted try through forward pressure on the Stockport line to make it 5-29 at the break.

Despite an early injury to Kieran Hibbs Stockport started the second half well, putting pressure on all the Manchester possession. But it was the home side who started to dominate territory and Stockport were forced to defend for long periods, conceding a stream of penalties. Manchester missed a scoring opportunity as the final pass went into touch and Paulson turned over to stop another scoring opportunity. Apart from two visits to the Manchester 22 Stockport remained on defensive duty for most of the half but the defence was good, passing the test even with a second yellow card, until 5 minutes from the end Manchester moved the ball left and with Stockport out of defenders the home full back scored a try that was converted for a final score of 12-29.

Next week is a home fixture at Headlands Road against newly promoted Glossop, kick off at 3.00 pm.