Stockport secure promotion with thrilling 52-22 win against Sutton Coldfiled

Stockport secured promotion back to National 2 North with a thrilling 52-22 win over Midlands side Sutton Coldfield. Coach Matt Bebbington’s philosophy of fast paced, quick passing rugby, involving all 15 of the team has been very successful and this was an impressive victory. But despite the scoreline Stockport did not have it all their own way as Sutton Coldfield played with a similar approach and the Stockport defence, which has been the best in the division all season needed to be good.
Stockport got off to a flying start with early tries from wing Will Batterbury and lock Chris Roddy as the fast pace and quick recycling by Stockport created pressure for Sutton Coldfield. Josh Longmore added two penalties and converted one of the tries for an 18-0 lead after only 16 minutes. The visitors eventually got some momentum going and Paul Millea got a yellow card as the Stockport defence had to prevent a good attack developing. Despite being a man down Stockport added another penalty before Sutton Coldfield got into the game with two well worked tries in the 10 minutes before half time to make it 21-12 at the break.
The visitors started the second half strongly and scored a penalty to get within 6 points. Longmore took a quick tap penalty on halfway and passed to centre Jamie Anthony, who ran very strongly to beat several defenders and get a try that extended the lead again. Longmore scored and converted a try after he was quickly onto a dropped pass and ran in from the 22. After a great line break by lock Mike Waddington, Callum Baldwin was on hand to take the pass and run in under the posts. Longmore converted to make it 40-15. The running game produced an opportunity for substitute wing Joe Cantwell but he was just held up over the line. After a 3rd scrum on the 5 metre line, Dan Eccles ran from the base of the scrum and prop Elliot Millar-Mills took the ball and went over to make it 45-15. A thrilling run by wing Myles Hall and quick recycling created a try for Paul Allen, which Longmore converted. But Sutton Coldfield had the last word with a converted try to make the final score 52-22. Stockport can look forward to a tough season in the higher division next year, but this is now a confident and well drilled squad, which can do well.