MATCH REPORT: National League Two Division North: Otley 41-12 Stockport

Four first half tries from Harry Hudson, Joseph Armitage, Jack Mackie and Stephen Depledge highlighted Otley’s dominance and were rewarded for being far more superior at the scrum.

Andy Fuller and Chris Roddy’s tries did give Stockport something to cheer about in the second half, but they did go on to concede three more tries as Arnold Ellison, Jonathan Stannard and a penalty try rounded off another difficult afternoon on the road for Port.

Stockport coach Matthew Bebbington after the game said: “Due to their scrum we lost a platform where we could attack from this afternoon. They were bigger than us and the forwards couldn’t get any purchase to lock out so that contest ended which wasn’t great.

“We couldn’t get any parity at the scrum just because of the size of their pack and if we look back at the game, 80-85 per cent of their territory came from either our scrum and winning the ball or their scrum and winning a penalty. If you take that platform away, it’s tough.

“We also seemed to lose focus on the things that have worked well for us over the last three weeks and due to us focusing on other things in training this week, we seemed to forget about the core basics so we will look at that again ahead of Broadstreet next Saturday.”

Matthew Bebbington had also said in the week that Stockport could not afford to start slowly in this game, but it was the hosts that looked in the mood from the first whistle and they took an early lead through Hudson’s try.

After a good scrummage in Stockport’s 22, the ball found its way to Hudson, via Mackie and Michael Coady and was finished off by the league’s leading try scorer in the corner for 5-0.

Otley could well have had six or seven first half tries due to their quick ball, but with the game played in boggy and moist conditions, the ball did spill out of the hands on numerous occasions.

The Yorkshire side did get their second try just before the 10 minute mark as Armitage crashed through the Stockport defence to go over after a lineout. Depledge converted.

Stockport then seemed to settle into the game as Joe Cantwell broke from the line as did Jamie Anthony and Elliot Fletcher, but Otley’s defence remained strong.

Otley got their third try of the afternoon on 23 minutes as winger Alexander Beaumont showed an outstanding burst of pace to get round the outside of the Stockport line and managed to help the ball on to Mackie to score.

The home sides dominance at the scrum was the platform for their fourth try of the day on 31 minutes. Ellison went close after a weaving run saw him evade three Stockport tackles, but he was held up.

From the resulting scrum, the ball came out to Depledge who had the simplest of tasks just to pop the ball down over the line from a yard out. His conversion extended the lead to 24-0 at half-time.

Away from home, Stockport do seem to perform better in the second period and it followed suit again as they began with real intensity and pressure which was absent in their first 40 minutes.

Otley’s Ben Steele was sin-binned and Port took advantage of the extra man as from a line-out, Fuller thundered his way over for his third try of the season. Mark Edwards pinged over the extras to breathe some life into Stockport’s performance.

But Otley responded with their fifth try of the day and in truth, it was a soft one to concede from a Stockport perspective. Depledge had given Port a torrid time all afternoon and his quick penalty resulted in Ellison galloping into the corner after a lovely pass outside by Hudson.

Ten minutes later, Stockport added five more points to the scoreboard. Sammy Graham made an excellent break to find Cantwell after good support play by Sean Street.

The ball was then fed from left to right and with the Otley defensive scrambling to get cover on the far side, Stockport used the men they had over and Roddy calmly touched down in the corner for 29-12.

Otley then cranked up the pressure further from the kick-off and were not going to allow Port to come back into this game or even claim a losing bonus point.

Otley’s scrum was again at the forte of their penultimate try as after a series of strong drives and endless penalties against Stockport five meters from their own try line, Graham was shown a yellow card and a penalty try was awarded nine minutes from time. Depeldge knocked over his third conversion.

The final score of the match again came from a scrum. Otley won the Stockport set piece and Mackie picked up from the base and powered his way past a Stockport side who looked like they were running on empty.

He produced a wonderful overload, presenting the ball perfectly to the oncoming Stannard who charged over to complete the victory for Otley.

Stockport’s next match is at home to Broadstreet. Kick-Off next Saturday at Headlands Road is 2:15pm.

Click here to listen to Matthew Bebbington’s full post-match interview on Stockport Rugby Club’s official AudioBoom account.

Otley: Ellison; Hudson, Mackie, Coady, Beaumont; White, Depledge; Scott-Paul, Heaton, Armitage; Stannard, Dunn; Blades (capt), Steele, Moss

Replacements: Burkinshaw, Gregg, Rock, Chivers, Sharples.

Tries: Hudson, Armitage, Mackie, Depledge, Ellison, Penalty Try, Stannard
Cons: Depledge (3)

Stockport: Fletcher; Cantwell, Platt-Hughes, J Anthony, Gaskell; J Edwards, M Edwards; S Green, Baldwin, Marsland; C Hibbs, Roddy ; C Anthony, Graham, Fuller (capt).

Replacements: Mitchell, Nicholson, Hopkins, K Hibbs, Street.

Tries: Fuller, Roddy
Con: M Edwards