After the barmy weather in the week prior to this top of the table, title deciding game, it was a shock to have very cold wind blowing across the pitch. It also took scrum half Matt Bebbington a bit of time to get his kicking foot warm as Stockport struggled to find a meaningful position to launch a try scoring quest from.

There was 25 minutes on the clock and only a 2nd minute Jonny Edwards
penalty on the score board when Stockport finally prised the Bradford
defence open. Matt Bebbington kicked the home side us into the corner and Stockport’s well oiled catch and drive routine saw Nick Smith bag his ninth try of the season. The visitors got on the scoreboard with a 30th minute penalty. On the stroke of half time and down to 14 men , Stockport attacked again and wing James Drew popped up in the centre and skipped through a gap to score.

Bradford rallied in the second period and made the most of an awkward bouncing ball to narrow the score to 13-10 with a converted try 8 minutes after the break. Bradford the pressured the Stockport line but the defence held and they then staged a spectacular break out which not only just failed to bring a try but ended with full back George Cook in the Sin Bin Again with 14 men Stockport attacked and a neat exchange between front row players saw Tom Cruse score a try and with the extra two from Matt Bebbington the lead was up to 20-10. Even a late penalty by Bradford which gave them a bonus could not stop the champagne being taken from the fridge. 4 games still to go and Champions already.