The report below is courtesy of Penrith RUFC as your correspondent has been a little under the weather for the past few days. I think it's a fair account of an exciting game for the impartial observer played in superb conditions.

Penrith's afternoon of high drama didn't begin well, Stockport were a strong well drilled side and were soon 14 points to the good with two converted tries, the first coming from a maul driven from an attacking line-out 5 metres from the home line and the second a sweeping move in the backs. The home side looked as if they were totally outgunned and were in for a difficult afternoon but their never say die attitude was to see them through. They came back with a Mike Hawley try, he broke the line taking a flat miss pass off Steve Wood and then proceeded to waltz round the full back for an unconverted try. They then came at the visitors who did not look as good a side when they were forced on to the back foot. Penrith cut the deficit to two pts with a converted try, big David Preston made serious inroads with a storming run off the tail of the line-out and when the ball came out, Gav Cartmel made the break that saw him almost to the line and sub Toby Slack was on hand to squeeze in at the corner. Steve Wood had a long range penalty attempt fall just short before the visitors were successful with an attempt of their own for a 17-12 half time lead. Penrith started the second period the stronger of the two and took the lead when Mike Hawley fielded a Steve Wood chip ahead and put Tom Armstrong away for a converted try and a 2 pt advantage. The game then swung the way of the visitors, they began to boss the set scrums, disrupt Penrith at the line-outs and generally dominate proceedings. It was no surprise when they retook the lead. In a concerted attack Penrith had two opportunities to clear their lines but missed touch both times and the pressure finally told. They then extended their lead to 10 pts with another try taking advantage of Penrith losing two of their own line-outs in their 22. Stockport at this stage looked good for the win but although the home side were struggling they kept plugging away. As the game entered the last 10 minutes the Stockport effort seemed to falter, Penrith got more of the play and better field position. After several phases of play they stretched the visitors defence and with the full back missing Gav Cartmel followed up Mike Hawley's grubber kick from the 22 to touch down over the line. At 26-29 down Penrith continued their assault and on 40 minutes won a penalty deep in the visitor's 22, Wood's kick looked to have earned them a draw. Dave Preston claimed an awkward restart and not satisfied with a draw Penrith ran the ball out of their own 22. Gav Cartmel looked to be the villain of the piece as he was penalised for hanging on after going for a gap that wasn't there, Stockport kicked themselves back into the lead but Gav Cartmel was soon the hero. As play went into the 6th minute of added time, Penrith mounted an all out attack and in the final play of the game the ball went wide with Gav Cartmel and Mike Hawley instrumental in getting the ball to Tom Armstrong who made a powerful run into the visitors 22 where he managed to slip the ball out of the tackle to Gav Cartmel who broke the last tackle and went in at the corner and round under the posts for a memorable win. This was the best and most exhilarating game of rugby seen at Winters Park for some years and the team spirit shown by a side 14 pts down and later 10 pts down was a credit to them and pushes them up to 3rd in the table.