(For the Stockport Express by Richard Hope}
(Sandal's report is also shown Below ours)
It was Stockport’s first visit to Sandal for some years and at the final whistle they were happy just to return home with their 100% winning record intact, and with only Chester above them in the league to have also opened up a small gap on the chasing pack. What happened in the intervening 80 minutes gave the Stockport travelling faithful some anxious moments and Coach Tim Burgon some food for thought.
Stockport enjoyed the majority of the early possession and territory. With the introduction of Rory Bell in place of injured wing Mike Pearson, the total age for Stockport wings and full back stood 54 years: The youngest back three in its 86 year history. Stockport made repeated visits to the Sandal 22 but failed to register any points in return. They also declined a number of penalty kick opportunities in favour of seeking the elusive opening try.
Against the run of play, in the 22nd minute, Sandal broke out of defence and from a scrum 10 metres out from Stockport’s line, their No.9 made an break to the blindside and scored in the corner. The long range conversion was added. 7-0.
It took until the 12th minute of the 2nd half for Stockport to get a break through. Most of the Stockport team were involved as they mounted phase after phase. The ball eventually came to centre Jamie Anthony who scored. No conversion. 7-5. It had been Stockport’s 6th visit to Sandal’s line in the game and they knew that a win was only possible if that ratio was improved.
With 10 minutes remaining Stockport got their winning try. The attack of the day saw numerous ball carriers and quick recycling. The crucial run came from Man of the Match, flanker Nick Smith, who charged into the Sandal 22 and off loaded to captain Dave Marwick to score under the posts. Jonny Edwards added the conversion, 7-12. Stockport ran the clock down sensibly to take the win.
This Saturday sees the visit of Rossendale to Headlands Road. Kick Off 3.0pm.

Dave Hopkins does not get a mention in this match report....for the record Dave came on at half time and his contribution was beyond calculation....

Sandal defence finally breached by Stockport
by Peter Tunningly - Sandal RUFC - Many Thanks

Although this was a match where Sandal held the lead until the seventy fifth minute they could have no complaints over the final score as Stockport in the main had control of possession and therefore the match. The match opened as it was to continue with both sides running the ball at each other and Stockport signalled their intentions early on by kicking a penalty to the corner instead of going for three points. Sandal repelled the rolling maul from the lineout but with centre Jamie Anthony continually stepping his way over the gain line the visitors spent the majority of the first quarter in the home half until Sandal scrum half Max Whittingham broke clear on halfway to take the play into the Stockport twenty two. From a five metre scrum Sandal no. 8 Josh Ferguson forced his way over the line but the ball was adjudged to be held up and from the ensuing scrum Whittingham showed his pace to cross in the corner with fly half Greg Wood converting via the crossbar to put Sandal seven points in the lead on twenty five minutes. Stockport went back on the attack and after spurning another potentially kickable penalty they looked likely to score on a couple of opportunities but Sandals scramble defence saw the attacks come to nothing and with Sandal fly half Greg Wood missing both a long range penalty and drop goal the Milnthorpe Green side went into the half time break leading by seven points to nil.

The visitors opened the second half continuing to show the level of play that had taken them into the play-off position the previous season as they went through phase after phase of play controlling the ball and ensuring a constant stream of possession. They finally got their reward on the hour mark with centre Anthony forcing his way over the line following ten phases of play and with the conversion missed the visitors were now only two points behind the home side. Stockport returned to the attack and ten minutes later they were awarded a penalty for offside just to the left of the posts but the kick was missed and Sandal were able to relieve the pressure and spend some time in the visiting half. Home fly half Wood missed a penalty before the visitors took the lead for the first time on seventy-five minutes when from a lineout in their own twenty-two they worked their way up the field with captain and flanker Marwick taking the final pass from his back row colleague Smith to go over under the posts from twenty metres out with fly half Edwards converting. The final five minutes saw Sandal in the Stockport half as they attempted to rescue the game whilst Stockport at the same time looked to close the game down. The final whistle sounded with the four win points going deservedly to the visitors with Sandal earning a hard-fought losing bonus point.