This was a contest between unbeaten Stourbridge at the top of the League and Stockport with one win at the bottom of the League. Stockport’s performance did not reflect the gap in league positions, with the home side having some 65% of possession but it was the ability to convert chances into points that was the difference between the sides. Stourbridge scored 7 tries to one by Stockport to win by 45 points to 5. However it was one of the best performances of the season by Stockport, they controlled much of the possession and created several periods of real pressure in the Stourbridge 22 but the visitors’ defence was very well organised and there was only one try for the home side.
Despite a good start by Stockport Stourbridge were on the score sheet after only 5 minutes as the Stockport defence was beaten on the right and the wing ran well to put in the No. 12 to score. Stockport then had a good period of pressure, being held up over the line twice. Stourbridge demonstrated real pace in the backs and controlled driving by the forwards to add two more tries to gain a 19-0 lead at half time, despite a powerful run by Stockport centre Mike Bayssat, who got close to the line but the referee called a knock on.
Stockport made a positive start to the second half and centre Jamie Anthony made a couple of telling breaks but the support was unable to take advantage of the positions he created. The Stourbridge forwards started to dominate set pieces and some powerful drives resulted in two more converted tries to make it 33-0. However Stockport refused to let their heads drop and continued to attack but the visitors defence was well organised and Stockport were never able to match the pace or clinical finishing of their opponents. Wing replacement Elliot Fletcher collected a clearance kick and after a positive run by Nick Smith wing Myles Hall got the ball 30 metres out and his pace and his pace and direction of run allowed him to beat the Stourbridge defence for a great try. Richard Geary as unable to add the conversion but this was a well deserved score. The Stockport defence then held out against sustained pressure by Stourbridge until the pace and support work of the league leaders created two more tries for a final score of 45-5. Despite the result this was a really encouraging performance by Stockport, still weakened by long term injuries.