I LIKE BONUS POINTS

A glorious sunny afternoon greeted the players and supporters of Stockport and Cleckheaton for the first league game of the season at Headlands Road. The pitches looked immaculate and a real credit to Brian Whalley and his ground staff. As well as the 1st XV game, the day was notable for the very first competitive outing of the club’s newly formed 5th XV. The crowd was swelled by a number of ex-players who had gathered for a memorial gathering in memory of a much loved former player Paul Doran for whom a minute’s silence was observed.
The opening stages of the main event saw the two teams probing each other’s defence and whilst the first clear opportunity to score went to the home side it was the visitors who first troubled the scoreboard. They played a well rehearsed backs move which saw their centre Ollie Depledge crash through the Stockport defence before off loading to Fly-half Nick Wainwright to score. Full back Ross Hayden added the extras. 0-7 (7 mins)
Stockport responded quickly. Full back Steve Pearson attacked up the right wing and chipped towards the try line. His opposite number appeared to have the threat covered as the ball bobbled towards the dead ball line but was forced to push the ball out of play with his hand. From the ensuing quickly taken penalty Paul Ralph forged over under the posts for his second try of the season. Matt Bebbington converted to bring things level. 7-7 (13 mins)
Cleckheaton regained the lead with a penalty. 7-10 (15 mins). Stockport were the next to score with a move that emanated from much improved line out play compared to the previous week. The ball was fed to centre James Anthony who cut a good angle back to the right and made the ball available. Captain Dave Marwick continued the move as the ball was moved to the blindside and a well timed pass put Steve Pearson clean through down the wing and he was able touch down under the posts. 2 points added by Bebbington 14-10. (22 mins)
There was no more scoring in the half but Stockport came close and were guilty of over elaboration and failed to add to their lead. Nearly immediately it was the visitors who came on the attack and only some very determined Stockport defending kept them at bay until just before break when the tables were turned again with a James Drew lead attack just coming short.
Cleckheaton came out hard and fast after the interval and Stockport had to dig in for several minutes but quickly mounted an attack themselves. A move came together and the ball went quickly through the hands from left to right leaving debutant Tom Kelly with a run in down the right wing for his first try in Stockport colours. Matt Bebbington’s trusty boot came in to action for another conversion 21-10 (45 mins)
The other Stockport debutant Ben Blakely playing at 8 played a significant part in Tom’s next try. As the ball he took into contact was quickly recycled in midfield around the 22. The ball went right via Dave Marwick and came to Tom Kelly who again made his try scoring run look effortless. 26-10 (51 mins)
Matt Bebbington’s ankle was a little sore and Steve Pearson moved forward from full back to fill in. With a shuffle round Andy Rimmer came onto the wing. The changes heralded an awesome Stockport backs move that saw Mike Raven knocking on with the try line beckoning.
Next Tom Kelly bagged his hat trick try and with it the match of match accolade. On this occasion the defence were a little more determined but Tom was not be denied as he shrugged off several tacklers on his way to the line. Steve Pearson took over the kicking duties and added the extras. 33-10. (60 mins)
With the match and the try bonus both apparently secure Stockport made two more changes. It was difficult to tell if this was the reason but Stockport went dangerously off the boil. Cleckheaton dominated the next 15 minutes and had it not been for some over elaboration they may well have added to the 12 points they accrued over this period. 33-22 (65 mins) The two tries and conversion they scored meant that, with time running out, one more try would give them 2 points to take home with them: one for the try bonus and one for losing by 7 or less points.
Right at the death settled the match and the home supporter’s nerves with a well struck penalty from the 10 metre line for a final score of 36-22. (79 mins). There were no such butterflies for the 5th XV who romped home 65-0 against Dukinfield 3rd XV. This week Stockport make the long journey to Darlington Mowden Park as they try to maintain their top 2 place in the league
Richard Hope