Stockport came to Broughton Park confident after a dominant display in the previous week against Penrith but were quickly on the back foot thanks to some strong home defence and robust attack. A continued assault lead to the home side taking a smartly built try, converted to see the visitors 7-0 down.
Stockport were quick to respond through strong carries from Ed Poulson and Nick Smith with continued pressure leading to a dominant driving maul dotted down my Sam Graham, smartly converted by the effervescence senior Tom Eaton.
Stockport continued to pile on the pressure and a well executed tail of the lineout move leading to a measured grubbed from Nick Coupland through for captain Rory Austin to extend the lead. The continued pressure could not be converted as three times Stockport created try scoring opportunities through fantastic work from Alistair Green and a cross field kick from Tom Eaton that went begging. Half time 12-7.
Broughton park started the second half on the back foot but quickly found opportunities, taking two penalties to find themselves in a deserved 13-12 lead. It was at this point that Stockport took control of the game through organised forward play with Tom Mantell and Tom Gardener leading from the front. Intelligent play from the talented Paul McGookin lead to a smart try and Stockport regaining the lead, unconverted to make it 13-17. More controlled rugby allowed Tom Eaton to extend the lead with a well struck penalty.
The moment of the match came as Cealin Mallon stole a lineout on the half way line and raced away, outpacing the desperate defence before offloading on the try line to the ever present Ed Poulson for the decisive bonus point score, smartly converted by Eaton. An outstanding final defensive display allowed the away side to deny Broughton any consolation and depart as victors with the full 5 points. An impressive display against a very competitive home team. We look forward to more of the same next week, at home to Bowdon, 3pm KO.