Stockport secure losing bonus as Wirral take last minute lead

Stockport secured a vital bonus point, to retain their league position, as Wirral scored in the last minute to beat them by 3 points. This was the second time this season that a Stockport lead had been surrendered to Wirral right at the end of the game, having lost 29-28 in the away fixture. Stockport dominated the first quarter, with great intensity, accuracy and positive play. Both forwards and backs played a part in securing a 17-0 lead before Wirral, second in the table, got themselves into the game, with two tries to make it 17-10 at half time. There were signs that the Wirral pack would increasingly dominate the set scrum and their rolling maul proved hard to stop, resulting a stream of penalties against Stockport. It was Wirral who started the second half strongly as they got ahead with another try and a penalty but Stockport regained the lead with the best try of the game before the Wirral pack power and the referees whistle resulted in a last minute penalty try to give Wirral a 27-24 lead.

The start by Stockport produced the best rugby they have played all season, Wirral were unable to get into the game as Stockport went through phase after phase, mixing good driving by the forwards and positive running by the backs. It was only 2 minutes into the game when Stockport moved the ball to the right from a ruck and skipper Simon Green was out wide and he dummied the defence to go in under the posts, Scott Redfern converted for 7-0. Stockport stayed on the attack, winning several penalties. Using a penalty advantage Redfern cross kicked for Jordan Simpson but the flanker was tackled just short of the line, going back for the penalty Stockport chose to go for the tap and Mike Waddington was held up over the line. From the scrum, the backs got close to the line before the recycled ball came to Ollie Longmore and the prop got over to score, Redfern added the conversion to make it 14-0. Wirral eventually got into the Stockport 22 but a good break out relieved the pressure. After more good play by Stockport the Wirral centre was yellow carded for an illegal tackle and Redfern kicked the goal to make it 17-0. However it was Wirral who dominated the period of the yellow card, they got into the home 22 and a quickly moved ball allowed the wing to outflank the Stockport defence, there was no conversion. Well into overtime at the end of the half the Wirral pack began to show its strength, opting for scrums instead of kicking penalties until a push over allowed the No 8 to touch down, again there was no conversion to make it 17-10 at half time.

Wirral dominated the early exchanges in the second half and it was their pack driving from line outs and scrums that were significant features of the half. An early converted try from a line out drive and a penalty put the visitors into the lead at 17-20 after 47 minutes. Stockport responded well and it was the pick and drive by the forwards that created several opportunities, the first went begging when they were penalised for holding on just near the posts, the second when a penalty was conceded at a scrum. Stockport were dominating territory and a penalty attempt by Redfern was just wide. After holding off a Wirral attack Stockport again put the phases together and Sam Graham gave an inside pass to flanker Simon Curry, who cut through the defence to off load to Sean Street who scored under the posts. Redfern converted and Stockport were back in front at 24-20. A poor pass resulted in a knock on, as Stockport tried to run the kick off back into the Wirral half, and the Wirral pack took up residence in the Stockport 22, winning a series of penalties and repeated scrums, until the penalty try was eventually awarded to give the visitors victory by 3 points.
Next week is a must win fixture at local rivals Burnage.