Stockport could have expected this to be a bonus point game, away against the club bottom of the table, in the end it was only a last minute penalty miss by West Park that allowed Stockport to come away with a win. As the advantage changed hands several times it was not until the 70th minute that Stockport got their noses in front at 18-15 and managed to hold out for the win.
West Park belied their league position as they dominated territorially for most of the first half and much of the second, while Stockport were unable to get into any sort of rhythm. It had looked promising in the early exchanges as Stockport ran well into the West Park 22 and were awarded a penalty as the home side prevented release of the ball. Stockport went for the lineout and the drive led to a scrum 5 metres out, Cruse seemed to have got the try but the referee awarded another scrum. West Park were penalised for lifting at the scrum and the penalty was taken quickly, the ball moved to Cruse, who broke the tackles to get the first score. West Park then had a good spell and after some pressure won a lineout, from the drive the ball was recycled and the prop got the try just in from touch. With neither of these tries converted it was level at 5-5. West Park attacked from half way and it looked as if their wing would score but there was no touchdown as Bebbington and Cooper got back to make the tackle. Hugo Corbett was given a yellow card as a West Park drive was pulled down and a penalty try was awarded to make it 12-5 to the home side. It looked as if Stockport were going to be unable to take advantage of their rare times in the West Park half but just before half time the ball was moved well from a scrum on half way, there was good support and Blakely and Evans ran strongly with the recycled ball, with Blakely getting the try wide out. Bebbington converted to make it all square at half time.
As last week Jan Anderson the Stockport prop was prominent in the loose but it was the Stockport backs who looked impressive as the second half started but a penalty allowed West Park to clear. The home side then had a spell of pressure before Pearson found space to run out of defence and kick ahead but the West Park defender managed to win the race for the touchdown. 10 minutes into the half West Park had a player yellow carded but Stockport were unable to take any advantage of the extra man and West Park converted a penalty from 30 metres to go back into the lead. Stockport eventually managed to attack into the home 22 and won a penalty for offside, allowing Bebbington to draw the score level again at 15-15. Anderson and Blakely set up a position for Bebbington to kick wide for Newton but the ball ran over the dead ball line before Newton could reach it. Stockport got a turnover at a scrum and were awarded a penalty as the West Park flanker tried to kill the ball, Bebbington converted and Stockport had a slender lead at 18-15. There was one more opportunity for Stockport to score but West Park were too strong at the scrum in their 22 and for the last 10 minutes they attacked in the Stockport half, Hopkins was yellow carded for going through a ruck and the penalty moved on 10 metres following a comment by a Stockport player. Fortunately for the visitors the relatively easy kick was pulled wide and Stockport needed to defend well as West Park kept up the pressure during the last few minutes.
With the results elsewhere in their favour Stockport have consolidated their second place with this narrow victory.