A losing bonus point keeps Stockport in 10th place in the table, just ahead of Ionians. Having been kept in their own half for most the first 20 minutes, Stockport showed some promise as centre Gregg Newton made an excellent run, seeming to beat the defenders but the referee judged there had been crossing. Ionians kicked a penalty for offside in front of the posts and as Stockport conceded a 5 metre scrum, having had to hack an attacking kick dead. The visitor’s number 8 picked up and went blind from the scrum to get the touchdown and put them 8-0 up. Stockport replied immediately, winning a scrum from the kick off, Nick Smith picked up to go right and fullback Mike Barlow came in at pace and beat the defence, running in from 30 metres to get the home side back to 5-8. No 10 Josh Longmore latched onto a loose ball on half way and looked to be clear but the defence caught him a couple of metres short of the line. Stockport had a 5 metre scrum but it was the first of 3 that went against the head in attacking situations. There was a try for skipper Dave Marwick as Stockport built from a lineout on the left, going through several phases to set up a ruck in front of the posts and Marwick was able to stretch to get the touchdown. Longmore converted to put Stockport 12-8 ahead at the break.
Early in the second half there were yellow cards for Stockport’s hooker and the Ionians wing. Stockport centre Steve Pearson picked up a Longmore kick on halfway and looked to have the pace but was caught in the 22. Jamie Anthony had a go for the line but it was scrum half Mike Bayssat who dived over for the try. Longmore was on target and with half an hour left Stockport had a 19-8 lead. Ionians kicked a penalty to touch and Stockport were unable to hold the drive from the lineout and with the conversion Ionians were up to 19-15. Stockport created a number of good scoring chances but there were two 5 metre scrums that went against the head and they were unable to take advantage. The Ionians No 10 threw a huge dummy on half way and as he tried to defend Mike Barlow ended up with a yellow card. Ionians kicked to touch and again the drive from the lineout gave them a try, the conversion took them 3 points clear in the final minute.