tockport concluded the season with a convincing 8 try victory over Middlesbrough, following the game the League Trophy was presented to skipper Dave MARWICK by Steve MacCafferty, the North Division Representative on the RFU Competitions Committee. After two early tries as pressure caused some errors by Middlesbrough to allow the scores within the first 15 minutes there was little else to excite during the first half as Middlesbrough fought hard to stay in the game in their battle to avoid relegation. The second half turned out to be a try feast as Stockport gained full control and added a further 6 tries to end the season on a high with a 52-19 win.
After only 12 minutes, Jordan PEARSON dispossessed a Middlesbrough player on half way and hacked on for Jamie ANTHONY to pick up and make ground before supplying Pearson with the scoring pass, Jonny Edwards duly converted. It was only two minutes later when good pressure by the forwards caused a poor pass from the Middlebrough scrum half and as his full back failed to collect the ball behind his own line Edwards got the touch down and followed with a conversion to make it 14-0. But Midlesbrough were keen to stay in this game and but for a saving tackle by Dave HOPKINS would have scored. They did get two penalties and a good try by their scrum half from a retreating scrum made it 14-11 at the break and with second row Paul RALPH sent to the sin bin just before the break the game was evenly balanced.
Stockport were transformed after the break and really looked like champions as they passed, ran and recycled well to score tries by Jamie Antony, Mike PEARSON , John WILSON, Tom CRUSE, Marwick, and a second by Anthony. Edwards added a further 4 conversions. All of these tries were well taken and made by good team work but Cruse demonstrated why he has been selected for Cheshire as from the kick off following Wilson’s try Marwick took the ball and passed to Cruse who took a great line to break the defence on half way and sidestepped to beat the full back and run in to score under the posts. Middlebrough added a try and a penalty to their half time tally.
Cruse is joined in the Cheshire squad by Paul RALPH, Jamie ANTHONY and Dave MARWICK, who will be captain.