Stockport’s first competitive game of the new season was a first Round Cheshire Cup game against Caldy. Despite both sides making a few early season errors it was a good competitive game.
An early exchange of penalties gave Caldy a 6-3 lead and after Stockport had defended really well under great pressure, Caldy got a soft try as their scrum half took a tap penalty on the 22 and ran through the hesitant Stockport defenders. The conversion gave the home side a 13-3 advantage but good running by Hopkinson took play into the Caldy half and Jamie Anthony almost made it in at the corner, the ball was moved to the left and prop Anderson was able to get the touchdown. There was no conversion to make it 8-13 at half time.
After weathering a period of pressure Stockport took advantage of the wind and a kick ahead resulted in a Stockport line out on 5metres, the lineout ball was knocked on and as Caldy kicked to clear Jamie Anthony charged down and picked up the loose ball to score, Hopkinson converted to put Stockport in the lead at 15-13. After a period of pressure by the home side the Stockport defence was over stretched and Caldy scored under the posts to go 20-15 up with the conversion. From the kick off Stockport pressurised the defence into giving away a penalty on 5m metres and from the resulting lineout new No 8 Smith scored to bring the scores level at 20-20, there was no conversion. Stockport failed to make touch from a penalty and as Caldy attacked Stockport’s second row Camuss was yellow carded, Caldy missed the penalty but just before the final whistle put together a good passing movement to score a converted try to win 27-20.