Poor start has home side on back foot

STOCKPORT never recovered from allowing Wilmslow to take a 31-0 and a bonus point in the first half of this local derby at Headlands Road.

Despite a much more determined second half and two tries Stockport were never able to get back on terms and Wilmslow added a fifth try to close the game out.

This was perhaps Stockport’s weakest performance of the season against a Wilmslow side determined to retaliate for their home defeat by Stockport in the first half of the season.

The first 10 minutes were spent mainly in the Stockport half and Wilmslow turned the ball over after a tackle just outside the Stockport 22 and the centre took advantage to feed his wing for a converted try.

Pressure at a scrum gave Wilmslow a penalty, which was converted for 0-10. A rare Stockport attack broke down and Wilmslow put the pressure back on and the backs put their right wing away for a try to make it 0-17.

The pattern continued as the visiting backs again beat the defence for another try for their left wing and it was 0-24, with no sign of a Stockport reply. Wilmslow attacked straight from the kick off to add another try under the posts to have a 0-31 lead at the break.

The half time talk clearly galvanised Stockport and their performance improved. A catch and drive following a penalty to touch gave Nic Smith a try, which McGovern converted.

Stockport were unable to maintain any continuity or pressure and Wilmslow scored a fifth try from a line out, a good line by their full back gave him a try to make it 7-38.

Stockport then had a good spell and were rewarded with a try for prop Matt Lawrowitsch, which was converted. But it was too little too late. Stockport will need to be better organised, quicker in defence and improve their line out to do better than this next time out.

Next week is away to bottom side St Benedict’s and nothing less than a convincing win will do ahead of the trip to Isle of Man the following week.