Back
Sat 05 Sep 2009 · National League 3 North
Chester
1st XV
13
23
Tries: J DREW, P RALPHConversions: M BEBBINGTON (2)Penalties: M BEBBINGTON (2)Drop Goals: M BEBBINGTONYellow Carded: P RALPH
STOCKPORT BRING HOME THE POINTS
Richard Hope6 Sep 2009 - 19:17
Share via
The 1st XV record a rare win at Hare Lane
Stockport won away at Chester for the first time for many years in this first League fixture of the season. Despite being in control for most of the first half, Stockport turned round 0-10 down at the interval, before scoring 23 points in the second half to win 23-13.
From the start it was clear that Stockport had superiority in the scrum, hooker Alex Hooley took 3 against the head and the Chester scrum was frequently driven back. Stockport lost lock Paul Ralph to the sin bin after only 10 minutes when the referee penalised him for not rolling away from a tackle. Chester took advantage of Stockport’s loss and scored a try as their fullback jinked through several tackle attempts to score under the posts to make it 7-0 to the home side. With Ralph back on Stockport exerted considerable pressure on the Chester line but the defence held up and a number of penalties and some handling errors meant there was no reward for the pressure. On the stroke of half time Stockport conceded a penalty on their 22 and Chester converted to go in 10-0 up at the break.
Stockport started the second half very much in control and soon had a try as Hooley won the scrum against the head, Marwick picked up and passed to scrum-half Raven, who put through a lovely kick for wing Drew to hack on and as the ball sat up for him to collect he stretched to get over for the try. Matt Bebbington converted from near the touch line and followed with a converted penalty to bring the scores level. Stockport were now well in control and camped in the Chester 22, winning another penalty, which Bebbington converted to take Stockport into the lead. Stockport flanker Harvey then was given a 10 minute trip to the sin bin for not rolling away from a tackle and Chester converted to bring the scores level. Chester then had their heads up and produced some very positive rugby with good running from their backs but Stockport held out and after several very good drives by the forwards to get into the Chester 22, a scrappy ball came back to Bebbington who managed to score with a quick drop goal. In the closing minutes as Chester tried to clear the ball from defence, Stockport wing Drew collected the ball near touch on half way and ran deep into the Chester 22 before passing to Ralph, who went over to score under the posts, Bebbington was again on target to make the final score 23-13 and get the season off to a positive start.
The Stockport 2nd team beat Manchester 2nds by 67-0 and the 3rd team won 45-7 at New Brighton to make it a great start to the season for the whole club.
From the start it was clear that Stockport had superiority in the scrum, hooker Alex Hooley took 3 against the head and the Chester scrum was frequently driven back. Stockport lost lock Paul Ralph to the sin bin after only 10 minutes when the referee penalised him for not rolling away from a tackle. Chester took advantage of Stockport’s loss and scored a try as their fullback jinked through several tackle attempts to score under the posts to make it 7-0 to the home side. With Ralph back on Stockport exerted considerable pressure on the Chester line but the defence held up and a number of penalties and some handling errors meant there was no reward for the pressure. On the stroke of half time Stockport conceded a penalty on their 22 and Chester converted to go in 10-0 up at the break.
Stockport started the second half very much in control and soon had a try as Hooley won the scrum against the head, Marwick picked up and passed to scrum-half Raven, who put through a lovely kick for wing Drew to hack on and as the ball sat up for him to collect he stretched to get over for the try. Matt Bebbington converted from near the touch line and followed with a converted penalty to bring the scores level. Stockport were now well in control and camped in the Chester 22, winning another penalty, which Bebbington converted to take Stockport into the lead. Stockport flanker Harvey then was given a 10 minute trip to the sin bin for not rolling away from a tackle and Chester converted to bring the scores level. Chester then had their heads up and produced some very positive rugby with good running from their backs but Stockport held out and after several very good drives by the forwards to get into the Chester 22, a scrappy ball came back to Bebbington who managed to score with a quick drop goal. In the closing minutes as Chester tried to clear the ball from defence, Stockport wing Drew collected the ball near touch on half way and ran deep into the Chester 22 before passing to Ralph, who went over to score under the posts, Bebbington was again on target to make the final score 23-13 and get the season off to a positive start.
The Stockport 2nd team beat Manchester 2nds by 67-0 and the 3rd team won 45-7 at New Brighton to make it a great start to the season for the whole club.
Further reading
Team Sponsors