Stockport unable to close out local derby

Stockport were unable to close out this local derby, against already relegated Burnage, as they sought to maintain National 3 status before next weeks fixture against Birkenhead Park. Despite having lots of good possession, Stockport lacked the composure to complete scoring opportunities and secure a victory. Burnage produced a spirited and determined performance to win by 1 point at 26-25, having shown real commitment and taking advantage of Stockport errors to complete their scores. With Birkenhead Park and Huddersfield YMCA both securing losing bonus points Stockport must now get at least 1 point from next weeks away game to ensure they avoid the relegation places.

On the Burnage artificial surface Stockport made a good start, with lots of possession and some good recycling, but it was Burnage who scored first with a penalty after 3 minutes. Wing Joe Cantrell collected a Burnage clearance and ran into the home 22, the recycled ball was moved left to Ashley Platt-Hughes and the centre ran in to score. The conversion was wide but Stockport had the lead at 5-3. Following a line out steal by the Burnage No 8 the home side exerted pressure in the Stockport 22, winning but missing a penalty opportunity before another penalty was sent to touch and Burnage drove over from the line out for a try, which was converted to put them back in the lead at 10-5 after 17 minutes. Stockport responded well with some good running and passing and won a penalty in front of the Burnage posts, which Scott Redfern converted. The Stockport forwards began to dominate with some good loose play, picking and driving to real effect but were turned over as they got close to the Burnage line. Stockport continued to attack but as it looked like there was an overlap the final pass was poor and the Burnage wing picked up and ran 85 metres to score to make it 15-8 to the home side. Stockport finished the half strongly, with more good work by the forwards, following a great run by wing Lewis Bowman, they seemed to have got a try through Sam Graham but the referee said no try as he blew for half time.

Early in the second half skipper Kieran Hibbs secured a turnover on half way and a break by Platt-Hughes supported by Sean Street resulted in a try under the posts for the Stockport scrum half, as the defence was unable to catch him running in from the 22. Redfern converted to make it 15-15 after 43 minutes. More good driving play by the Stockport forwards took play deep into the Burnage 22 and a penalty was won with the defending wing off his feet. Redfern converted to give Stockport the lead after 50 minutes 18-15. Burnage then had a good spell and a tackle off the ball gave them a penalty chance, which they took to even it up at 18-18. Burnage then attacked and Stockport failed to secure two of their own line outs in their 22 and from a scrum Burnage ran the ball to the blindside and the wing scored to make it 23-18, with 20 minutes to go. Stockport attacked well and took advantage of a Burnage knock on on half way and Myles Hall made ground along the touch line and found Street in support and the scrum half ran in for his second try, Redfern converted to give Stockport the lead again at 25-23 with 12 minutes to go. Burnage responded positively and won a penalty, which they converted for a 1 point lead with 10 minutes to go. The Stockport forwards had a sustained drive and were close to the line when they surrendered a penalty to allow Burnage to relieve the pressure. In the closing stages both sides mounted good attacks and won kickable penalties but they were both missed before Stockport had a further penalty chance with the last kick of the game but the attempt was just wide, giving Burnage the one point victory.