FIRST STEPS ON THE ROAD BACK

Huddersfield had provided Stockport with their last win in the league when they met in the final game of last season and if they were to retain any thoughts of rescuing themselves from relegation, this really was the last chance saloon for Stockport.
After 24 minutes there could not have been many of the Stockport faithful still believing in a resurrection of their season. Their defence had been torn to shreds after only 3 minutes and the Huddersfield try was converted. Stockport did hit back with a penalty 4 minutes later from Richard Geary. 3-7 but in the 18th minute Stockport’s luck seemed to have deserted them.

A Huddersfield attack resulted in the ball being chipped towards the corner. Stockport wing Mike Bayssat retreated to deal with the threat, with a Huddersfield player in close attendance. There was a flurry of bodies over the line and the referee judged that it had been the Huddersfield player who had grounded the ball. 3-12.
With a further penalty 6 minutes later the gloomy conditions seem to reflect Stockport’s prospects at 3-15. Then ...a glint of light. Stockport centre Sam James broke through the visitor’s line as he crossed the halfway line. He timed his pass wide to perfection and 2nd row Mike Waddington was in support on the inside to take the return ball and he galloped the 20 metres to score. Richard Geary added the conversion. 10-15.
Sam James was soon finding another gap to go through. This time he took the ball on himself only to be tackled feet from the line. A penalty was the reward as the tackler failed to move away. 13-15.
With 5 minutes remaining in the half both teams might have been forgiven for putting the shutters up until the break but two more tries were yet to come. The visitors struck first with a crisp backs move to score in the right corner and then No.8 Dan Eccles finished off a fine display of support play as Stockport attacked up the left flank. The difference between the two scores was that Richard Geary’s trusty boot made the scores all square at the break. 20-20
The second half was a tense affair with both sides anxious not to be the first to give ground. Stockport’s defence was good and as the game went on Huddersfield struggled to make the openings they had enjoyed in the first half. Richard Geary finally added a penalty with 16 minutes left. 23-20.
Huddersfield continued to try and batter their way through but without success. As the game reached injury time Stockport induced another Huddersfield mistake and the loose ball was hacked on by Stockport’s Mike Bayssat. After a 50 metre kicking chase diagonally across the field he went down with a defender just short of the line but Sam James was on hand to pop the ball over the line. 28-20. It was a much deserved score for man of the match Sam James. Stockport survived the 9 minutes of injury time intact.
Stockport now have a week off before they play Hull at Headlands Road on 8th December kick off 2.0pm