Stockport secured an important 31-27 win at home with a gutsy team performance.

Stockport secured an important 31-27 win at home with a gutsy team performance. Breaking a five game losing streak was based on the best game the pack has had this season. But this was an all round effort and while Simon Green scored 2 of Stockport’s 5 tries both his scores came from great work by the whole pack to set him up. Other tries came from Ollie Longmore after more good work by the pack and both wings touched down after good running and passing to create space out wide. This was no easy victory and the Billingham backs were always a threat and with Stockport down to 13 men for the last 5 minutes it was no surprise that Billingham secured two bonus points with the last play of the match.
While Stockport dominated possession in the first half it was Billingham first on the scoreboard with a try by their left wing after only 8 minutes. Stockport responded immediately as second row Mike Waddington got an interception and ran into the Billingham 22, he found George Smith in support and the final pass by Smith gave Myles Hall a try to make it 5-5. The Billingham full back was yellow carded for not releasing in the tackle and Stockport drove over from the line out but were held up. Held up again after a Jamie Anthony break the Stockport scrum controlled well and Green got his first at the pushover to make it 10-5. Stockport won a penalty at the kick off and good driving play by the pack gave Longmore his try. Jonny Edwards converted for 17-5. Stockport failed to secure a cross kick and Billingham looked certain to score, Edwards stopped the wing and Green rolled the centre over to prevent him touching down. Billingham did score following the scrum 5 to make it 17-12. George Smith was yellow carded for preventing release as Billingham attacked again but the penalty was missed to make it 17-12 at the break.
Billingham started the half in like manner with an early score, as the visitors wing got his second try, which the fullback converted to give them the lead. A 40 metre penalty put them further ahead at 17-22. The Stockport scrum was now getting on top to the extent that they twice opted to scrum instead of kicking penalties in front of the posts. Green got his 2nd from the well controlled second scrum, going in under the posts. Edwards’s conversion put Stockport back in front. Green made a telling break and after pressure on the Billingham line the ball was moved wide via Redfern, Smith and Simpson to give wing Joe Cantrell a try, Edwards added the conversion from wide out to take Stockport to 31-22. Following a major fracas involving almost every player Redfern and the Billingham fullback were red carded. With 5 minutes to go skipper Kieran Hibbs was yellow carded for stopping release and with Billingham piling on the pressure their wing got his third try to gain their losing and try bonus points.

Next week Stockport entertain Cleckheaton and there will be a special lunch to commemorate the 4 Davenport players who died in air crash following the England France international in Paris in 1974.