Stockport Senior Colts moved into the last 8 of the u18 National Cup with a narrow, tense win over Newport Salop in what can only be described as a nip and tuck affair. This years National Cup journey has come at quite a price after the boys had to surrender a 7 year stranglehold on the Cheshire Cup by withdrawing to be able to continue in the National Competition so a good performance was needed to compensate.

Port kicked off playing into a slight breeze and converted some early pressure from the pack with a typical Rowan Abbott try to see the home side into a 5-0 lead.

The early lead was soon eroded after Newport equalised after a driving maul that saw their pack force their way over to level the scores.
It was then the turn of the visitors to take the lead after an excellent break by their full back saw him feed his right wing for a converted try to see the visitors into a 5-12 lead.

Port then produced their best rugby after a series of carries from the pack set the platform for Rowan Abbott to again weave his way over for a second try converted by fly half Jake Pennington 12-12.
The lead was then further extended after more good work from the pack saw the visitors concede a penalty that was quickly taken by Skipper Daniel Robinson who fed Navid Mousavi Khoshrou who powered over the line for a great try. 17-12.

The game then turned into a midfield battle with defences on both sides cancelling out most attacks. Another telling Abbott run saw Newport concede a goal line drop out which saw second row Miles Cooke charge down a poor clearance for 7 priceless points 24-12.

The one thing we had worked out about Newport though was these lads were not going to lie down and it came as no surprise when they converted a tap penalty on the 22 through a scything run from their centre who sliced through the Port defence to see the tie back in the melting pot at 19-24.
With 10 minutes of the game remaining it was to be Stockport who should have scored next when Rowan Abbott again broke through the Newport defence and looked to have put the tie beyond the visitors reach when he chipped the last man only to be taken out by the fullback for what certainly looked like a certain penalty try but alas the ref disagreed and thats the only opinion that matters.

With the decision just a penalty the tee was called for but unfortunately too long was taken and with the ref calling you've only got 5 seconds left a panicked hack at goal drifted agonisingly wide. The last 10 minutes were pure agony for both sides but it came as a great relief to Stockport when the final whistle blew. Final score 24-19.

Massive credit though must go to Newport, Stockport isnt an easy place to come to but the Newport lads threw the kitchen sink at us and maybe we were fortunate to go through as both sides had their chances to win but it was to be Stockports day. One thing I will say is if we do end up going out of this competition at any stage the standard of how to deal with a difficult defeat was set by the visitors who were gracious in defeat to a player, coach and supporter and I hope if we do lose out at any stage that we will conduct ourselves in the same manner. My only complaint was they wouldnt bloody go home! The club bar though benefitted from a great bar take and a proper post match session was had by all.
IWe now know that our quarter final will be away at Hull Ionians on 12th February. The date may change subject to North of England & Academy call ups (dont get me started!)