STOCKPORT KEEP THEIR NERVE

A Steve Pearson penalty in the last minute secured the 22-20 win over visitors West Hartlepool after a tense game in which both sides provided a mixture of high class rugby and errors. However this was an important win to get Stockport’s season going and while there is still work to be done on reducing errors and the penalty count there was much to be encouraged by.
The game got off to an interesting start with Stockport’s Peter Bredenkamp going off for blood repairs in the first minute and the visitors’ No6 off after six minutes with an ankle injury that required an ambulance. The West Hartlepool backs looked dangerous and it was only a last ditch tackle by the Stockport full back which saved a score. An excellent planned move following a drive by skipper Marwick produced a try for Greg Newton as he came in between the centres to take Reece’s well timed pass and found the way to the line clear, Pearson converted to make it 7-0. West Hartlepool wasted no time in replying, with Stockport missing a tackle and the centre running in from the 22, the conversion was added to make it 7-7. With Stockport No 6 Reuben Harvey winning a loose ball Stockport were able to attack and won a penalty as the visitors prop was offside at the ruck, he also got a yellow card so Stockport were one up. The penalty was put into touch but as the ball was moved following the line out there was a knock on and West Hartlepool cleared the danger. There was a mix up in defence and Stockport were penalised for offside and the West fly half converted from 40 metres out 7-10. Stockport were on the attack again but Craig Cooper found himself without support and No 7 John Wilson was carded for handling in the ruck. Harvey was again to the fore as he picked up following confusion at the back of a West scrum and was able to run in under the posts from 20 metres, Pearson added the conversion and Stockport finished the half 14-10 up, having missed a penalty attempt just before the whistle.
The visitors fly half was prominent throughout the second half controlling the game and using some well timed passes to give his backs good opportunity to run. He converted a penalty from in front of the posts to make it 14-13 after Stockport were offside at a ruck. Stockport then produced some quality play as the ball was moved right to left across the field, Pearson was held just short of the line but Stockport kept the pressure on and the ball was moved back across the field and Andy Fuller bundled his way through a tackle to reach the line, there was no conversion but Stockport had extended their lead to 19-13. West Hartlepool replied immediately, the fly half delayed his pass to create a gap and the centre went in under the posts for a converted try and the visitors were back in the lead 20-19. After some error ridden play by both sides West Hartlepool had a chance with an attacking lineout from 10 metres but Stockport were relieved to get a scrum as West knocked on. Stockport substitute Chapman had a couple of good runs and Stockport just missed a penalty with 5 minutes to go but had another chance in the last minute and Pearson was accurate to secure the victory. So with one win from two Stockport travel to West Park St Helens for another tough game next week.