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1st XV Season Review

1st XV Season Review

Chris Heal25 May 2015 - 14:34
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For Stockport 1st XV it was a tough season.

At the beginning of the campaign coach Matthew Bebbington & Captain Andy Fuller stated they were aiming to give it a good crack in this league and that's exactly what they did, but unfortunately they didn't achieve their aim of staying in National Two.

On the final day of the season, Bebbington said: "I think we have played better rugby this season than we did the last time we were in this league. We just have to stick to our principles and we know that can trouble all of the teams in National Three next year.”

As a club, Stockport are extremely ambitious and spirits are always high despite results on the pitch. However, there is no hiding away from the fact that for the 1st XV, it was disappointing to go straight back down.

Stockport finished bottom of National Two North with just two wins to their name all season. Home victories against Huddersfield and Otley were small highlights to take from an otherwise tough campaign for the side.

A huge amount of injuries hampered their chances from day one with key players picking up long term injuries within the first five matches.

By the time the side lined up away at Harrogate in October, they were missing approximately 12 1st XV players and three forwards started in the backs with usual hooker Sammy Graham playing on the wing.

Port's first point of the season came at home against Preston where they conceded a try four minutes from time to narrowly lose the game.

It took them five more games before they sealed their first win of the season against fellow promoted side Huddersfield. A 27-18 win seemed to breath some new life into Port's season as they went close to win number two away at Caldy & at home to Hull.

But any hopes were dashed in the lead up to Christmas as three heavy defeats more or less ended Port's time in National Two as they started to fall way behind the teams above them.

A well earned draw at home to Birmingham & Solihull was a great way to start the New Year, but then seven straight defeats ended their time in National Two in early March.

Remarkably, Port's form picked up after that as their pressure free rugby was starting to produce some very good performances.

After being edged out by Hull Ionians, Harrogate and Hull, Stockport's second win of the season eventually came with four games to go as they beat Otley 19-14 at Headlands Road.

Port may have lost 27 games this season, but like Bebbington and Fuller said, they did give it their all.

Amazingly, the Red, Green and Whites were either leading or were less than a converted try behind their opposition at half-time on 18 occasions this season.

They led nine of those games at half-time, but only managed to come away with two wins.

What was the reason for this? Fitness, mentality? The team weren't quite sure. But what was clear, was that Port's efforts were second to none in every single game this season.

For me, the future looks bright at Stockport Rugby Club. I got that sense from the awards dinner a couple of weeks ago.

The morale was high and the club unity was there for all to see. In terms of the 1st XV, they have an excellent coach in Bebbington. He has a young, enthusiastic squad and he has instilled fresh creative flair in his players which was on show at times this season.

Make no mistake, Bebbington and his players will be hurting, but that could be an advantage for next season. That could make Port sharper and more determined to bounce back.

It seems that what is happening at Stockport is now a long term plan. Its clear relegation is a setback, but with a developing young team and with the club changing the way it does things, they are starting to lay the foundations for the future.

With Fuller retiring and Chris Roddy moving on, the 1st XV will be captained by Kieran Hibbs and Simon Green next season - both ever presents at Headlands Road. Both will know what it takes to build this squad once again.

I am sure next year will be a strong year for the 1st XV and all of the other teams at the club. Onwards and upwards for 2015/16. #teamport.

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