Stockport came away from Broughton Park with a well deserved 24-10 victory, despite having to field two back row players in the front row, Kieran Hibbs and Jordan Pearson deputised very effectively helping to provide a solid platform. Overall the performance was a good one, with some exciting running, some good support play and a sound defence that has obviously benefitted from work in training. A close fought first half ended with the home side 3-0 ahead, with Stockport marginally the better side but having failed to cross the line.. The second half was much more positive, Stockport scored 3 well worked tries to 1 by Broughton Park and with Liam McGovern on target with all his kicks Stockport ran out well deserved winners.

The home side put early pressure on Stockport and good defence was needed on the Stockport try line to restrict Park to just a penalty from in front of the posts.There were too many penalties conceded by Stockport and a yellow card was issued to Nic Smith on 20 minutes. Despite being a man down Stockport began to get on top, there was some good running from deep and a series of penalties and scrums on the Broughton Park 5 metre line, which somehow Stockport were unable to convert into points to leave the score at 3-0 at the break.

Stockport got off to a quick start in the second half with good running, off loading and support running. The gain line was broken as forwards Marc Benson and Matt Lawrowitch made good carries and a penalty was won in front of the posts and a yellow card was shown to the Park lock. Opting for the scrum there was good continuity as the ball was moved right, then, as it came back to the left the way was clear for Dean Schofield to score, the conversion made it 3-7 after only 5 minutes of the second half. A penalty gave Park a line out in their visitors 22 and they passed well and scored as Stockport ran out of defenders for the only time in the match, the conversion made it 10-7. But the rest of the game belonged to Stockport. After 14 minutes of the half a scrum on the Park 22 had the ball moved right and a well planned moved had Tom Eaton passing inside to his centre partner, Josh Schofield, who went straight through the defence to score under the posts for 10-14. A good kick and chase by Rhodri Mayor resulted in another penalty and a yellow card for Park as they offered instruction to the referee. McGovern slotted the penalty to take the visitors further ahead. As the game entered the final quarter scrum half Rory Austin broke from a scrum on half way and after breaking through tackles he fed Simon Green on the inside and Green just managed to stretch to get the ball over the line as he was brought down. The conversion produced the final score of 10-24 before the Stockport defence was tested but held firm during the last 5 minutes.

Next week is a home game against Anselmians, kick off 3pm at Headlands Road.