The final score of 29-13 to the home side could have been a narrower margin but for a score by Preston in the last minute, but in truth Stockport did well to keep the margin to only 16 points, given the positive approach taken by Preston and their good execution.
The first try for Preston came after only 2 minutes as they ran the ball from their own 22, recycled on the Stockport 22 and found a huge space on the left for the wing to run in. Stockport hooker Tom Cruse collected the kick off and Preston were penalised for offside to give Josh Longmore his first shot at goal to make it 3-5. Stockport then had a good period of pressure in the home 22, with Sam Warburton and Dave Marwick just being held up. The attack seemed to have been in vain as the referee, a visitor from Italy, awarded a penalty to Preston but he was called back by the Touch Judge, which resulted in Preston’s Sean Long being sin binned for throwing a punch and another successful penalty by Longmore took Stockport into a 6-5 lead. The Preston Number 4 was allowed to run through all the Stockport tackles on half way and then run in under the posts, having beaten the Stockport cover. Stockport went in 6-12 down and without Fullback Steve Pearson, who was sin binned for an illegal tackle.
Preston started the second half with a break in the centre and moving the ball left, the Stockport tackle attempts were all unsuccessful and there was another unconverted try for Preston. The home side added a try with a kick to the wing, recycling and moving the ball back across field for the outside half to score and convert to give Preston a 24-6 lead. There was an interception try for Steve Pearson as he ran in from half way, with the conversion it was 24-13 with two minutes to go. Stockport conceded possession and Preston confirmed their superiority with another try to get their bonus point.