Stockport secure losing bonus point away at Huddersfield to stay 4th in table

A lack lustre performance by Stockport away at second placed Huddersfield produced a losing bonus point, with a 27-21 win for the home side, to keep Stockport in 4th place in the table. On a heavy pitch the Huddersfield side took better advantage of their opportunities, while Stockport were unable to convert their pressure into points. With both sides having players sin binned soon after half time and a second Huddersfield yellow card giving the Stockport pack a chance to dominate in the final quarter. However seeking to run the ball from their own 22 prevented them adding to their third try to level the match and it was Huddersfield who had a penalty chance to deprive Stockport of their bonus point with the last kick of the game.

Huddersfield kicked a penalty before Stockport set up a great scoring opportunity, with Elliot Millar-Mills clear with two men outside him but his pass did not go to hand and the chance was missed. A penalty gave Huddersfield a line out and drive and as the scrum half got the ball from the ruck he went blind where there was no defence and Stockport were 8-0 down on 15 minutes. Huddersfield added a converted try with a drive from a line out and an inside pass from the scrum half for No 8 to score under the posts for 15-0. Ten minutes later Stockport scored through Callum Baldwin with a good drive from a line out and Mark Edwards converted from wide out. Another penalty gave Stockport an attacking line out and after Ruddy’s catch the drive gave a try to prop Dom Fratenale, Edwards was again on target and Stockport were back in the game aT 15-14. Indecision by Stockport at inside centre resulted in Huddersfield setting up a scoring chance with a long pass to the wing, had an easy run in to put the home side 22-14 up at the break.

Stockport were under pressure at the scrum early in the second half and Huddersfield moved the ball wide and the Stockport defence was outnumbered for a try wide out, with no conversion Hudderfsfield were 27-14 ahead on 43 minutes.With Craig Anthony on at prop the Stockport scrum did looked stronger and real pressure resulted in three penalties near the Huddersfield line, the last gaining a yellow card for the home prop. From a fourth penalty Craig Anthony crashed over after Mark Edwards took the kick quickly, he added the conversion and Stockport had 10 minutes to score again. It was not to be as Stockport spurned the chance to gain territory and tried to run the ball out of their own 22 and Huddersfield missed the penalty that would have taken away Stockport’s bonus point.