Stockport return to winning ways with a convincing 40-7 victory over visitors Morley.

This was a very good performance by Stockport with both forwards and backs making strong contributions. Continuity was good with quick recycling, good offloading and excellent support running, particularly from flanker Kieran Hibbs, who scored a hat-trick of tries. Debutant winger Joe Cantwell scored two tries, with some great finishing. Morley were rewarded with a converted try after a period of pressure in the second half but Stockport dominated throughout, driving the Morley pack back at the scrum and Paul Milea and Chris Roddy combined well to ensure the lineout was a source of good attacking ball. Discipline was also good with Stockport conceding only one kickable penalty, which Morley were unable to convert. It was a game that looked in doubt as the referee suffered an injury in the first minute but he recovered and ensured there was a good free flowing game.
An early try came when Mark Edwards went right after a several phases following a linout and his pass gave Cantwell his first try. Five minutes later Hibbs added his first try after Elliot Millar-Mills took a quick penalty the ball was moved to Cantwell who found Hibbs up in support , with no conversion it was 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. Edwards added a penalty before Caldwell got his second try after more quick recycling and good passing gave the right wing his run in, Edwards added the conversion before his second penalty gave Stockport a 23-0 lead at the break.
Hibbs got his second try only 4 minutes into the second half, Edwards had kicked ahead and centre Steve Pearson put pressure on the two Morley defenders to ensure a Stockport lineout, Pearson took the throw quickly and the ball went loose and Hibbs was on hand to snap up the ball and dive over, Edwards was on target for 30-0. Stockport kept up the pressure in the Morley half, narrowly missing a score as a scrum was driven over the visitors line. An attempted kick by the Morley scrum half on the half way line was charged down by prop Craig Anthony, who hacked on and substitute flanker Ali Green picked up to run in from the 22 for 35-0. Morley then rallied and had a good period in the Stockport 22, resulting in a try for their centre, which was converted. It was Stockport who had the last word after good handling and progress by the forwards Mark Edwards made a break and Hibbs was in support to run in, beating the Morley cover defence to make the final score 40-7.