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Sat 06 Oct 2012 ·  SSE National League 2 North
Darlington Mowden Park
1st XV
36
17
Tries: R GEARY, S JAMESConversions: R GEARY, A ZAVALLIS-ROEBUCKPenalties: R GEARYYellow Carded: R JACKSON
SLOW BUT STEADY PROGRESS
Richard Hope11 Oct 2012 - 09:55
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Stockport may have returned from the long journey to the North East empty handed but there was a strong sense of progress in the performance of the team.
We witnessed the debuts of three players for Stockport. Sam James made an impressive first appearance in the centre. The 18 year old is well thought of at Sale Sharks and he will quickly become a Headlands Road favourite. The other debutant was hooker Ryan Jackson who has joined from Sedgley Park. Jackson worked tirelessly for the whole of his 70 minute appearance. The missing 10 minutes are accounted for by his time in the sin bin caused only by his enthusiasm to get his hands on the ball at every opportunity. The last new face was Andrew Broadhurst at prop who is a product of Stockport strong Junior section. The one big downer on the day was the injury to Captain Greg Newton who left the game with a suspected broken arm.
After 10 minutes Stockport went behind to a converted try when the Darlington right wing went over in the corner. The pressure continued on the visitors but after 20 minutes they were thankful to Sam James for his 70 metre clearance kick down the touchline. From the ensuing lineout the ball moved quickly through the hands and James burst through a narrow gap to just reach the line. Alex Zavallis-Roebuck added the conversion. 7-7
With Ryan Jackson serving his yellow card in the final 10 minutes of the half Darlington went over in the right corner again for a 12-7 half time lead. When play started again Stockport made a very encouraging start to the half and they narrowed the deficit to 12-10 with a Richard Geary penalty. Unfortunately this seemed to sting the home side into action and they quickly struck back with two converted tries over the next 10 minutes. 26-10
Stockport continued to chase every ball and got their reward in the 66th minute when a clearance kick was charged down. Sam James picked up and passed inside to Richard Geary who went under the posts and added the conversion himself. 26-17.
All their efforts saw Stockport tire a little in last 10 minutes but they were unlucky to concede the final try of the day when a loose ball bounced straight into Darlington hands near the line. The final score of 36-17 flattered the home side and Stockport can take a lot of positives into this weekend’s game at home to Sheffield Tigers . Kick off 2.0pm
After 10 minutes Stockport went behind to a converted try when the Darlington right wing went over in the corner. The pressure continued on the visitors but after 20 minutes they were thankful to Sam James for his 70 metre clearance kick down the touchline. From the ensuing lineout the ball moved quickly through the hands and James burst through a narrow gap to just reach the line. Alex Zavallis-Roebuck added the conversion. 7-7
With Ryan Jackson serving his yellow card in the final 10 minutes of the half Darlington went over in the right corner again for a 12-7 half time lead. When play started again Stockport made a very encouraging start to the half and they narrowed the deficit to 12-10 with a Richard Geary penalty. Unfortunately this seemed to sting the home side into action and they quickly struck back with two converted tries over the next 10 minutes. 26-10
Stockport continued to chase every ball and got their reward in the 66th minute when a clearance kick was charged down. Sam James picked up and passed inside to Richard Geary who went under the posts and added the conversion himself. 26-17.
All their efforts saw Stockport tire a little in last 10 minutes but they were unlucky to concede the final try of the day when a loose ball bounced straight into Darlington hands near the line. The final score of 36-17 flattered the home side and Stockport can take a lot of positives into this weekend’s game at home to Sheffield Tigers . Kick off 2.0pm
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