STOCKPORT HANG ON FOR WIN AT HEYWOOD ROAD

Stockport secured a second victory with a successful trip to Sale, adding a bonus point with 4 tries to move into mid-table. Playing their best half of the season Stockport dominated the first period and despite having 3 yellow cards held out for a 28-22 victory with Sale creating real pressure during the final quarter. With the backs running positively and another impressive driving performance by the forwards there was real encouragement as two tries and good kicking by Josh Longmore gave Stockport a 14-9 halftime lead. Two more converted tries early in the second half made things look comfortable but Sale came back strongly and but for some missed kicks at goal by Sale the result could have been different.
Good driving play by the forwards resulted in an early yellow card for the Sale No7 and a well controlled drive from the lineout gave No8 Dan Eccles a try, converted by Longmore after 10 minutes. A penalty was conceded at the kickoff and Sale added 3 points. Good movement and a kick ahead by prop Andy Fuller made a try for wing Steve Pearson as the Sale fullback failed to gather the ball, Longmore was again on target. It looked like a second for Pearson was on the cards after good passing and running by the Stockport backs but the Sale cover just put him in touch 5 metres out. Sale added a penalty for a high tackle and another for offside to make it 14-9. Just before half time, with Jamie Anthony in the sin bin, Sale looked to have scored a good try wide out on the right but the referee judged the final pass had been forward.
The Stockport forwards played really well at the start of the second half with good continuity and Mike Waddington got a try after a series of rucks and Longmore added the two points. Soon after centre Jamie Anthony kicked ahead and wing Myles Hall collected before passing back inside to Anthony, who ran 30 metres to score for Longmore to make it 28-9 with the conversion. Sale then scored an unconverted try after a period of pressure and Mark Edwards was yellow carded for Stockport. What looked like a good Stockport try was disallowed and Sale cleared with a penalty. There was real pressure on Stockport in the final quarter and good offloading by the Sale flanker allowed them to add a second try before kicking a penalty to secure a losing bonus point.