With the 1st XV game against Carlisle called off by Carlisle due to a lack of front row forwards the Stockport 2nd’s provided a high quality alternative at Headlands Road on Saturday. The performance confirmed the strength of the senior squad as the seconds produced a comprehensive defeat of visitors Birkenhead Park by 57-0. Although the visitors only had 14 players that did not detract from the excellent play by Stockport. It was an all team performance , with both forwards and backs passing, off loading and running great support lines to produce 9 tries, despite a strong wind across the pitch making kicking difficult. All players made good contributions so it is hard to pick out any particular names but hooker Alex Hooley was prominent in the loose and scored the final try, while wing Ben Turner touched down a hat trick of tries. 18 year old substitute on the wing James Guest showed his potential with a fine break and a try. Dudley Southern kicked 6 conversions despite the difficult wind.

Stockport established early superiority with a try for prop Paul McGoochin after a drive from a line out in the Birkenhead 22. From the kick off prop Dave Burr made a good run and his well timed pass put wing Turner clear to run in from halfway for his first to make it 10-0 after 15 minutes. Just minutes later centre Harry Rapley made a good break, supported by fellow centre Matt Blackman and No 8 Owen McPherson finished off touching down near the posts, Southern was on target for 17-0. Into the second quarter and wing Nathan Davies finished well after more good running and passing, involving both forwards and backs with the conversion it was 24-0 at the break.

The second half started with a good period of pressure by Birkenhead, as Stockport conceded a series of penalties but Stockport soon regained control and Guest made an excellent break, being pulled down just short of the line. Soon after Birkenhead got into trouble trying to secure the ball in defence and Blackman picked up to send Turner in for his second to make it 31-0. Turner got his third after 55 minutes, from a line out scrum half James Singleton made a break and the ball was moved left to right for Rapley to give Turner the pass for his third try and 38-0. The last quarter saw a very dominant Stockport score three more through lock Tom Metcalfe, Guest and Hooley, Southern converted the last two tries for a final score of 57-0.

Next week the first team are back in action with the postponed fixture against Broughton Park at home, kick off 2.15.