‘Port get off to winning start

with purpose. The pre-season work by player/coaches Dean Schofield and Tom Eaton with the squad was evident and the early ‘Port pressure secured a penalty, scored by Tom Eaton, after seven minutes.

After the restart, ‘Port again were looking good with scrum half Tom Duffy making a break resulting in another penalty, converted by Eaton.

Blackburn enjoyed a good spell of possession with their left winger having a good run and squeezing over in the corner. The try was unconverted.

After some determined ball carrying, and excellent passing, ‘Port were again awarded a penalty, this time opting for the catch and drive. After great work on the ‘rumble’ by the forwards, Dean Scofield was able to force himself over the whitewash in the 26th minute, converted by Eaton.

The rest of the half was an even contest, but after a dropped ‘Port pass, then a Blackburn knock on, the home side surprisingly lost the resultant scrum, with the visitors scoring from a clever kick ahead.

The try was unconverted, but this was a great time to score just before the interval.

The second half started like the first with ‘Port making a bright start.

Three consecutive line outs saw Eaton make a clever call and then manage to squeeze over in the corner.

This time the try remained unconverted.

After a brief spell of defending for the home side, centre Rory Austin made a superb interception midway between the 22 and halfway, his pace keeping him clear of the chasing defenders, Eaton again converting.

Blackburn became more dominant as they looked for a way back into the match.

Two periods of sustained pressure by the visitors each resulted in tries, one from a set scrum and the other enabling them to get over in the corner.

‘Port had defended pretty well, but Blackburn had come back to some effect, though both tries were unconverted.

After Blackburn’s second try, there was still eight minutes remaining.

The play went from end to end with the home side showing great resilience.

Late ‘Port pressure enabled Tom Gardner to force himself over in the corner, with Eaton again converting.

Two minutes later the match was over, with Stockport securing a well deserved win.