MATCH REPORT- National League Division Two North: Stockport 27-18 Huddersfield

Ben Marsland opened the scoring for Matthew Bebbington’s side and that was quickly followed by brilliant tries from George Smith and Joe Cantwell.

Mark Edwards converted all three tries and kicked two penalties to open up a 27-6 lead at the interval.

But Huddersfield mounted a fight back in the second half as tries from Tom Bills and Gareth Lewis reduced the gap to nine points, but Port saw out the game to get their first win in National Two North this campaign.

“The first half was excellent,” said the pleased Stockport Coach Matthew Bebbington.

“I thought in the second half we got caught trying to protect the lead rather than going out to extend it. We got a bit predictable but it’s certainly nice to be speaking under different circumstances this week.

“We scored three well worked tries. We changed the way we played to suit the team and that paid diffidence with the first try with a midfield break and its now all about being consistent in our performances.

“We have Caldy next week who are a bit of a different side, more expansive and have a lot of pace so we will need to front up again. If we get another couple of wins before Christmas and stay in touch with the teams just outside the relegation zone, then hopefully we will be in with a shot of being more successful in this league.”

The last time Stockport were in this division they lost their opening 12 games and ended that run with a win at Headlands Road against Huddersfield. Two years on and after not winning in nine games, Port were at it again.

It was the visitors who had the better of the opening exchanges though, as they were dominant with the ball as Chris Bell knocked over two penalties in the inside the first eight minutes.

But, unlike against Stourbridge last weekend, Stockport heads didn’t drop and they hit back immediately.

Port sparkled into life as Jamie Anthony made a good break from midfield after a great line by the hosts. He then found debutant Ashley Platt Hughes - on loan for a month from Macclesfield – who got away from two tackles before giving the ball to Marsland.

The flanker then dived into a narrow gap and looked as if he may have been held up, but the try was given after a long discussion between referee Will Halford and his officials. Edwards converted.

It wasn’t long before Port got their second try. Their set-pieces all afternoon were much improved from last week and their try came from good work at the lineout.

The ball worked its way to Smith who produced a superb step to find the gap and skin the Huddersfield defence to score his first points for the club since joining in September. Edwards once again converted.

Edwards then continued his polished kicking performance as he pinged over a penalty from almost the half-way line to give Port a 17-6 advantage.

Stockport were capitalising on some poor Huddersfield defending. They were playing with confidence and zip for the first time this season and increased their lead just before half-time.

Smith was at the heart of it again and really looked like he was enjoying his new role at 10. He produced a perfectly timed pass to Cantwell (who came on for the injured Jonny Edwards after four minutes) who scored a scintillating try using his pace to beat the Huddersfield tackles. Edwards was on target yet again with the boot and also managed to slot a penalty over before the half was up.

Huddersfield and Stockport were both promoted together into this division last season and the away side looked stunned and couldn’t believe this was the same Stockport team that had lost nine straight games.

The beginning of the second half was a tight and tense affair and on 59 minutes Huddersfield got their first try on the board. Elliot Hodgson slipped between the Stockport tackles on the right before Bills touched down in the corner to round off the visitor’s best move of the afternoon.

Port’s Callum Baldwin - who was having a very good afternoon - was unfortunately sin-binned during that try and straight from the restart Huddersfield came again. They drove Stockport back nearly into their own 22 and won themselves a penalty. As a result of that, Lewis snuck into corner to increase the pressure on Stockport who were anxiously looking at the scoreboard and the clock.

However, unlike in previous weeks, Stockport were able to neutralise the game and see it out and were helped with three minutes to go when Alex Battye was shown a yellow card.

At the full-time whistle there was a sense of elation and relief as Stockport achieved their first victory of the season and thoroughly deserved it too. Every single one of the players were fantastic and it shows what character and belief this side have. It was the perfect way to round off a great club day at Headlands Road.

Stockport are on the road next week as they take on Caldy. Kick-Off 2:15pm

Click here to listen to Matthew Bebbington’s full post match interview as well as the thoughts of Captain Andy Fuller on Stockport’s official AudioBoom account.

Stockport: J Edwards; Tennuci, Platt-Hughes, J Anthony, Fletcher; Smith, M Edwards; S Green, Baldwin, Marsland; C Hibbs, Eccles; C Anthony, Millea, Fuller (capt).

Replacements: C Mitchell, Graham, K Hibbs, Cantwell, Street.

Tries: Marsland, Smith, Cantwell
Cons: M Edwards (3)
Pens: M Edwards (2)

Huddersfield: Bell; Hodgson, B Mitchell, Owen, Clarke; Hinchcliffe, Jeffrey; Sharpe (capt), Hoyle, Malthouse; Rhodes, Thompson; Sanderson, Thornton, Purcell

Replacements: Bills, Lewis, Brown, Walker, Battye

Tries: Bills, Lewis
Con: Bell
Pens: Bell (2)