IN SEARCH OF IMPROVEMENT

Throughout the last few seasons, there have been many exciting, highly skillfull matches at Headlands Road. However, Saturdays National 2 league game proved to be the exception. Stockport unfortunately are suffering their worst injury crisis for many years and unlikely to improve for some time. Lions came to Port expecting are tough game but ended up winning a lacklustre game comfortably.
The first half contained few moments of note with Stockport down 12-3 at the interval . A difficult cross wind didn’t help the otherwise good conditions. With no side in the ascendancy Lions took the lead with a penalty after 10 min following an issue with the Port scrum. Dan Eccles made a good break down the right wing, fed Elliot Fletcher who was held up short of the line. A Stockport scrum came to nought with again Lions coming away with a penalty. After 28 mins lions went further ahead with a fortunate bounce off the base of the goal post wrong footing the defense and allowing the Lions fly half to score and subsequently convert.
The second half continued in the same vein with both sides having periods of pressure without ever developing a platform to score. Nick Smith the Port 8 received a yellow card following which Lions winger scored in the corner the result of strong forward pressure against a 14 man Port. Good ball retention then took Port into the Lions 22 only for a knock on preventing a potential try. With the score at 17-3 Dan Eccles again made a great run down the flank , fed Tom Oben with the winger scoring an excellent unconverted try. Score 17 – 8. Port however were unable to create any further pressure and with the last move of the match, Lions scored a further try after good forward pressure allowing the forwards to drive over the line and with the conversion deservedly winning 24-8.
Next week Port are away at Darlington Mowden Park and needing a substantial improvement if they are to record their first win of the season.