Stockport lose momentum to suffer defeat at Bradford and Bingley.

After a thrilling start with some fast accurate rugby, which gave them an early 10 point lead Stockport lost their way and went down by 17-13 to home side Bradford and Bingley side who played well but should never have been allowed back into the game. With the usually effective Stockport lineout not functioning scoring opportunities in the second half went begging. Stockport remain in 3rd place in the table but will need to regain the winning momentum of the last few weeks to maintain a place at the top of the table.
A great run by fullback Jonnie Edwards set up a Stockport attack, which resulted in a penalty scored by Josh Longmore after 2 minutes. Stockport ran the ball from the kick off and second row Mike Waddington made a break from halfway and ran towards the home 22, hooker Paul Milea was in support and ran in to just beat the defence to score, Longmore converted and Stockport were 10-0 up after only 7 minutes. Bradford and Bingley scored a try by running a penalty from the Stockport 22 and the defence was unable to stop the try as B&B recycled and drove over to make it 10-5. The first scrum came after 15 minutes and was a turning point as the Bradford scrum pushed Stockport back with ease. Stockport continued to play with some good pace and continuity but, despite the home side losing a player to the sin bin, were unable to add to their total in the first half. Centre Greg Newton seemed to have been set up to score but he passed to his wing and the ball went to ground. Another opportunity was lost as Longmore’s kick ahead had the full back in trouble but he escaped the tackles and cleared to the Stockport half. Newton was sin binned as he tried to prevent the home side recycling in the Stockport 22 and Bradford scored as they took the lineout option and drove over for a try, the conversion from the touch line put the home side 12-10 ahead and wing Tom Oban’s last ditch tackle just prevented another B&B try before half time.
There was some weak Stockport defence as B&B ran the ball from half way and set up their wing for an easy try to extend their lead after 45 minutes. Play was then a bit scrappy as Stockport were unable to get any momentum and despite adding a penalty there was no further score. Three good positions were squandered as the line out feed was not straight and possession in promising positions was conceded.