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Sat 16 Feb 2013 · SSE National League 2 North
1st XVHull Ionians
15
20
SECOND HALF SLUMP COSTS STOCKPORT DEAR.
Richard Hope27 Feb 2013 - 12:39
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Having secured only their second win of the season the previous week, Stockport faced a very significant challenge in the shape of 2nd placed Hull Ionians on Saturday.
Whilst having to be satisfied with losing bonus point they again received much praise for their play. It has been a common theme this season that spectators can not believe Stockport’s lowly position when witnessing the team’s method and application.
The first 15 minutes of the game with Hull Ionians was a tight midfield battle with hardly a blade of grass being disturbed in either 22. It took a flash of inspiration by Stockport fly half Alex Zavalis-Roebuck to break the deadlock. He spotted room behind Hull’s defence, chipped over and ran through to collect the ball himself. He made it to within 5 metres of the Hull line but when he was brought down he had back row support in the shape of Nick Smith who picked up and scored.
Mike Barlow added the easy extras for 7-0, but it was a worry for Stockport when he was sent to the sin bin eight minutes later and conceded a penalty in front of their posts. 7-3. However, the visitors failed to make any more of their numerical advantage and this emphasised when Stockport got the penalty back before Barlow’s return. 10-3.
The Ionians then enjoyed a good period of territory and possession but they were met with some very determined defence especially when they were put head to head at set scrums.
In the dying seconds of the half we saw one of the best Stockport tries of the season. The ball was worked left to right across the entire width of the pitch in a series of loops and full back James Drew eventually passed to right wing Mike Kaciubskyj to score in the corner. 15-3
Early in the second half it became clear that Hull Ionians had had a severe talking to at half time. Stockport were on the back foot but they repelled attempt after attempt by the visitors to breach their defences. The ball was then moved to left of the posts again and this time a Hull player appeared to run into a space blocking the path of a Stockport defender. The Hull full back needed no further invitation as he nipped through the gap that had opened. 15-10.
From the restart Stockport had a period of possession and it was a highly significant achievement for Hull to come away without conceding any further points. With 15 minutes to go Ionians were again camped on the Stockport line and after several abortive attempts they saw their scrum half spot a narrow gap to slip through and under the posts. 15-17
Stockport gave everything to get something more out of the game and for a moment it looked as if Stockport’s man of the match Alex Zavalis-Roebuck had opened another try opportunity but it came to nothing. It was left to his opposite number Chris Reakes to add a further penalty for a final 15-20 score line. Stockport still have 10 more league games to escape relegation and from this performance it is still possible. They start with a trip to 6th placed Leicester Lions with Saturday
The first 15 minutes of the game with Hull Ionians was a tight midfield battle with hardly a blade of grass being disturbed in either 22. It took a flash of inspiration by Stockport fly half Alex Zavalis-Roebuck to break the deadlock. He spotted room behind Hull’s defence, chipped over and ran through to collect the ball himself. He made it to within 5 metres of the Hull line but when he was brought down he had back row support in the shape of Nick Smith who picked up and scored.
Mike Barlow added the easy extras for 7-0, but it was a worry for Stockport when he was sent to the sin bin eight minutes later and conceded a penalty in front of their posts. 7-3. However, the visitors failed to make any more of their numerical advantage and this emphasised when Stockport got the penalty back before Barlow’s return. 10-3.
The Ionians then enjoyed a good period of territory and possession but they were met with some very determined defence especially when they were put head to head at set scrums.
In the dying seconds of the half we saw one of the best Stockport tries of the season. The ball was worked left to right across the entire width of the pitch in a series of loops and full back James Drew eventually passed to right wing Mike Kaciubskyj to score in the corner. 15-3
Early in the second half it became clear that Hull Ionians had had a severe talking to at half time. Stockport were on the back foot but they repelled attempt after attempt by the visitors to breach their defences. The ball was then moved to left of the posts again and this time a Hull player appeared to run into a space blocking the path of a Stockport defender. The Hull full back needed no further invitation as he nipped through the gap that had opened. 15-10.
From the restart Stockport had a period of possession and it was a highly significant achievement for Hull to come away without conceding any further points. With 15 minutes to go Ionians were again camped on the Stockport line and after several abortive attempts they saw their scrum half spot a narrow gap to slip through and under the posts. 15-17
Stockport gave everything to get something more out of the game and for a moment it looked as if Stockport’s man of the match Alex Zavalis-Roebuck had opened another try opportunity but it came to nothing. It was left to his opposite number Chris Reakes to add a further penalty for a final 15-20 score line. Stockport still have 10 more league games to escape relegation and from this performance it is still possible. They start with a trip to 6th placed Leicester Lions with Saturday
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