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Sat 10 Dec 2011 · National League 2 North
Loughborough Students
1st XV
36
10
Tries: P RALPHConversions: J LONGMOREPenalties: J LONGMOREYellow Carded: D HOPKINS, D MARWICK
STOCKPORT RUN INTO CLINICAL STUDENTS
Richard Hope12 Dec 2011 - 11:22
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Stockport competed well for long spells of the game but lacked the clinical finishing of the Students.
The current league season has turned the corner and Stockport’s first game on the ‘home’ run meant a return on Saturday to the scene of one of their most notable victories of recent years. In 2006 during their cup run that ended with a trip to Twickenham and the Intermediate Cup they took on Loughborough Students and won. There was no repeat on that victory this time. They found the Students in clinically efficient mood.
The first 10 minutes were spent in the home side’s half of the pitch as Stockport made a determined start to the game and Fly half Josh Longmore had a chance to put the visitors in front with a penalty which went wide. Loughborough then suddenly burst into life and with an attack that was full of pace and skill they crossed the Stockport try line with their first visit to their half. 5-0.
Stockport regrouped and were more than a match for the Students in other facets of the game but it was Loughborough who broke out again after 28 minutes and converted their attack into another try. 12-0. Back came Stockport and 6 minutes later they forced their way over for a try through the forwards with 2nd Row Paul Ralph taking the honours. Josh Longmore added the conversion 12-7.
That is the way the score stayed until the break but Stockport suffered the first of 2 yellow cards on the stroke of half time when Dave Hopkins was sent to the sin bin. The referee thought he had seen Hopkins use his knee on an opponent when in fact he had lost his footing and his knee had struck one of his own team mates. Nevertheless Stockport would be down to 14 men for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half.
Unfortunately the homeside scored another try just before Hopkins was re-instated. They took a quick tap penalty and moved the ball quickly to create a opening. 19-7. Josh Longmore reduced the deficit to 19-10 with a penalty after 12 minutes. That was as good as it got for the visitors. In the last 20 minutes the Students went into overdrive with a penalty and two further tries which would give a slightly flattering final score of 36-10. Loughborough are justifiably favourites for the league and Stockport continue to compete well in their first season in this company. Caldy visit Headlands Road this Saturday for the final game of 2011 . Kick Off is at 2.0pm.
The first 10 minutes were spent in the home side’s half of the pitch as Stockport made a determined start to the game and Fly half Josh Longmore had a chance to put the visitors in front with a penalty which went wide. Loughborough then suddenly burst into life and with an attack that was full of pace and skill they crossed the Stockport try line with their first visit to their half. 5-0.
Stockport regrouped and were more than a match for the Students in other facets of the game but it was Loughborough who broke out again after 28 minutes and converted their attack into another try. 12-0. Back came Stockport and 6 minutes later they forced their way over for a try through the forwards with 2nd Row Paul Ralph taking the honours. Josh Longmore added the conversion 12-7.
That is the way the score stayed until the break but Stockport suffered the first of 2 yellow cards on the stroke of half time when Dave Hopkins was sent to the sin bin. The referee thought he had seen Hopkins use his knee on an opponent when in fact he had lost his footing and his knee had struck one of his own team mates. Nevertheless Stockport would be down to 14 men for the first 10 minutes of the 2nd half.
Unfortunately the homeside scored another try just before Hopkins was re-instated. They took a quick tap penalty and moved the ball quickly to create a opening. 19-7. Josh Longmore reduced the deficit to 19-10 with a penalty after 12 minutes. That was as good as it got for the visitors. In the last 20 minutes the Students went into overdrive with a penalty and two further tries which would give a slightly flattering final score of 36-10. Loughborough are justifiably favourites for the league and Stockport continue to compete well in their first season in this company. Caldy visit Headlands Road this Saturday for the final game of 2011 . Kick Off is at 2.0pm.
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