MAULED BY THE TIGERS?

On Saturday Stockport traveled to Sheffield Tigers and returned with a 46-11 score line that would suggest that they received a mauling. This really wasn’t the case until the final quarter of the game. There is a significant slope to the Sheffield pitch and the wind chose to whistle off the moors and straight down the hill. Stockport lost the toss and the home side elected to play against the elements in the first half. Stockport started brightly they were the first to register a score after 9 minutes with a well worked try which saw centre Greg Newton touch down. 0-5.

Stockport were defending well and making the opposition appear slow and ponderous around the ruck and maul. After 13 minutes the defence still came unstuck as they strayed offside and the penalty kick brought back the score to 3-5.

Stockport were also kicking well for position and they deservedly extended their lead with a penalty from fly half Steve Pearson. 3-8. There was a good crowd for this North 1 clash and many were already trying to work out how many points lead the wind and slope were worth but Stockport’s cause was not served but conceding another penalty after 33 minutes and by losing their No.8 Ruan Van Schalkwyk to the sin bin for 10 minutes. 6-8. In his absence Stockport managed to increase their lead to 6-11 just before the break.

Greg Newton did not re-appear for the second half after treatment for a hamstring injury failed to do the trick. It took Sheffield 13 minutes to equalise the score when their left wing sneaked in at the left corner after a period of sustained pressure. It was also a blow to the visitors that the ensuing conversion from the touch line then put them behind 13-11.

Although the pace to the Sheffield pack and the ball they provided was not the quickest they were ruthlessly efficient as they slowly wore down Stockport defensive resolve. It was their forwards who started the late flood of points with a catch and drive from near the Stockport line after 23 minutes and with the accompanying conversion their lead was quickly up to 20-11.

The remaining 17 minutes were a nightmare for Stockport and saw them concede a further 26 points, albeit 7 came from a very curious penalty try when the Sheffield hooker came up in a set scrum. 10 of those final minutes were also played without their influential 2nd row and captain, Dave Marwick who found himself on the end of a yellow card. Final score 46-11.

Stockport will return to Headlands Road, lick their wounds and prepare for the visit of Birkenhead Park this Saturday, kick off 2.15pm.