Stockport unable secure 5 points as they failed to convert 23-5 lead

Despite scoring 5 tries and a penalty and leading 23-5 after 50 minutes, Stockport were unable secure all 5 points as they failed to close out this away game. They allowed Wirral to gain momentum and score 4 tries in the last 20 minutes. Wirral converted two of their 5 tries, while Stockport were only able to add a penalty to their 5 scores. So the final score was 29-28 to the home side. However the plus side was that Stockport produced some of their best play of the season, with the backs in particular producing some good quality movement and passing.
Stockport dominated territory and possession in the first half and while the wind blew strongly across the pitch it did not favour either team. The Wirral pack displayed early dominance, winning three scrum penalties near the Stockport line. Callum Baldwin was inexplicably yellow carded and the Wirral number 8 scored as they drove over the line. Stockport struck back with an Alistair Green try after good passing and recycling but the wind prevented the conversion. There was a lot of play between the 22s and both sides struggled with handling before Stockport fly half Scott Redfern made a break, which resulted in a penalty to Stockport, the kick to touch set up a line out and Callum Baldwin crashed over to score after a good line out drill. There was no conversion but Stockport had a 10-5 lead. A 60 metre break by wing Myles Hall set up a position in the Wirral half and after excellent handling the other wing Lewis Bowman was held up just short, the recycled ball went to Richard Sackville-West who got the score to make it 15-5 to Stockport at half time.
Stockport started the second half strongly, with good driving and from a line out prop Craig Anthony was held up over the line. Soon more good handling by Stockport had Callum Balwin running into the Wirral 22, after more pressure Wirral conceded a penalty in front of their posts and Sackville-West converted to make it 18-5. Stockport continued to run and pass well and it was from another line out following a penalty that Balwin got his second try to give Stockport a 23-5 lead with some 20 minutes to go. As Stockport failed to clear the kick off the ball was snatched by Wirral for an easy try and the home side gained momentum. Stockport conceded a line out on half way and Wirral scored an excellent try, with real pace. Their pack now really started to dominate and despite desperate Stockport defence the Wirral scrum eventually drove over for a try under the posts, the conversion made it 23-22 to Stockport with 15 minutes to go. It seemed that Stockport may have sealed it when scrum half Sean Street took a quick tap, as Wirral conceded an offside penalty, and went over for Stockport’s 5th try. Again there was no conversion but with a 6 point advantage and less than 10 minutes to go victory was still a possibility. But it was the Wirral scrum that produced the final try, which was converted to give the win to the home side and send a very disappointed Stockport side home with only 2 bonus points.