Stockport were not able to produce the precision and intensity shown during last week’s dominant defensive performance away at Hull, and in the end will be grateful to come away with a draw.
The game started in the worst possible fashion for Stockport, straight from the kick off Rossendale number 8 Ryan Mckibbon broke through two tackles and off loaded to winder George Peel who raced down the touchline to score in the corner. Conversion missed. 0-5.
Stockport responded well with some good phased possession taking them deep on Rossendale’s 22. Two initial drives from Stockport’s pack took them meters form the line when Rossendale cynically infringed and Steve Nutt was sent to the sin bin. Ashely Platt Hughes added the penalty. 3-5.
Stockport started to produce accuracy in the set piece, and on 8 minutes Ben Marsland took a well-timed inside pass to break free of the Rossendale defence, only for the final pass to go to ground.
As the half progressed Rossendale’s physical dominance started to show, particularly in the tight exchanges. On 12 minutes winger Joe McCluskie showed good strength and footwork to score in right hand corner. Conversion missed. 3-10.
Stockport responded again with a good set piece move through Myles Hall, which resulted in a second penalty for Stockport which Ashley Platt Hughes calmly converted. 6-10.
On 22 minutes Rossendale number 6 Danny Collins was sin binned for foul play. Stockport built on this momentum and from a catch and drive lineout in Rossendale’s 22, Stockport forwards Michael Wadding and Ali Green controlled the ball well, which allowed Ben Marsland to find space on the blind slide and breakthrough for a score. Ashely Platt Hughes converted well from the touchline to make the score 13-10 to Stockport at half time.
Second half, like the first, didn’t start well for Stockport, as Rossendale made an early line break which lead to a penalty on 41 minutes converted by Steven Nutt. 13-13.
As the second half progressed Stockport struggled to deal with combative nature of Rossendale’s tight play, and their ability to disrupt ball at the breakdown. On 57 minutes Rossendale secured a turnover from a maul on Stockport’s 10m line. Rossendale substitute Paul Hughes picked up the ball on the 22 and broke through the Stockport midfield to score under the posts. Steve Nutt converted. 13-20.
As the game entered the last quarter Stockport started to play with greater fluidity, and as the Rossendale pack started to tire Stockport looked certain to get back into the game. On 64 minutes Stockport put a succession of good phases together with decisive running from substitute Mike Kabciubskyj and full back Will Batterbury. After a line break from Stockport Rossendale were short of numbers on left hand side, with a clear three man overlap Stockport looked certain to score in the left hand corner 5 meters form the line but passes went to ground and it felt like it wasn’t going to be Stockport’s day.
Matters got worse on 67 minutes when Stockport debutant Scott Redfern was sin binned for a dubious late tackle on Rossendale full back Steve Nutt.
Down to 14 men Stockport pilled on the pressure, and in the final play of the game Stockport secured the decisive score. After initial good work at the lineout from the forwards winger Richard Sackville-West took a neat inside pass from Michael Wadding to break through the Rossendale defence and smarty off load in contact to Ben Marsland for his second try of the afternoon under the posts. Ashley Platt Hughes slotted over the straight forward conversion to secure the late draw, 20-20.
Stockport will be disappointed with today’s result and performance, but can take credit for the character shown in the last 5 minutes to get the score and secure the two points. That being said the coaching staff will be seeking a marked improvement in Stockport’s performance when they travel to Billingham next Saturday.

Mark Edwards.