Disappointment despite 6 tries and 48 points

Despite scoring 5 first half tries to nil and another in the second half, along with a penalty try Stockport came away from this bonus point win at Penrith disappointed. The first half, which Stockport dominated in all areas and played excellent rugby with good continuity and handling resulted in 5 tries, including 3 for new wing Joe Caldwell to add to the 2 he scored last week. with a 34-0 lead at half time there was some expectation that Stockport would go on to dominate the full game. However the second half, after another excellent try, turned out to be a catalogue of penalties, yellow cards, missed opportunities and poor tackling, allowing Penrith to score 3 converted tries and a penalty try to secure a losing bonus point with the final score 48-28.

An early penalty was converted by Mark Edwards before Caldwell’s first try, following real pressure and excellent passing. Hooker Paul Milea scored from a pushover from a line out and Edwards converted. Caldwell added his second after a kick ahead and pressure on the Penrith fullback gave Stockport possession to move quickly to the right, Mike Waddington drew the defence and his pass gave Caldwell space to beat the cover to score, Edwards added the conversion for 22-0 after 25 minutes. The Penrith hooker was yellow carded after he prevented Milea getting another touch down, Stockport opted for the scrum and Dan Eccles fed Bebbington who found Caldwell on a great angle for his 3rd try. Edwards was on target again. The final try of the half came from second row Chris Roddy finishing off several phases and good passing and a run from Eccles to make it 34-0 at the break.

The second half started with a great try by wing Myles Hall, finishing a move he had started on half way with a strong run, the recycled ball was taken on by Ali Green and Gregg Newton unselfishly gave Hall the scoring pass. Edwards converted and it was 41-0. But Penrith were allowed a score after some very poor tackling allowed them to make 60 metres and take 7 points. Stockport were on the attack immediately and were awarded a penalty try after pressurising the Penrith scrum on their 5 metre line. But that was that was the last score for Stockport and a series of penalties took Penrith 60 metres and after a cross field move they added their second try. More poor tackling allowed Penrith to keep to keep the ball alive and score again before both Matt Bebbington and Paul Allen were yellow carded as they tried to keep Penrith off the line and the result was a penalty try as Penrith took the scrum option on 5 metres.