‘Port victorious in Saints clash
THE long journey to Whitehaven in heavy rain meant Stockport arrived to find a pitch that was very wet and in some areas covered in deep mud.
It was decided the match should start and despite the very heavy ground it was the Stockport backs who ran in four of the six tries scored to secure a winning bonus point.
The conditions however did become a worry and the referee blew for full time after 62 minutes, so the result stood but the danger of any further injuries was avoided.
Stockport No 8 Nic Smith suffered a knee injury as a result of the ground conditions. The home side were unable to reply and the final score was 36-0 to Stockport.
St Benedict’s side gave away an early penalty for a high tackle and, from the ensuing lineout, Simon Green caught the ball and ran through a gap in the St Bs lineout to score an easy try.
Liam McGovern converted and it was 0-7. After 13 minutes flanker Simon Currie made an impressive run down the left hand touchline, wing Richard Sackville-West continued the move and providing a scoring pass to centre Rory Austin. McGovern was again on target for 0-14.
An interception by St Bs gave them a period of pressure in the Stockport 22 but the defence held firm and Stockport cleared.
There was more good running and handling by the Stockport backs but a penalty for holding on gave the home side a chance to clear.
A penalty to Stockport followed by a good drive from the lineout allowed the ball to be moved to the right and Austin gave fullback Rhodri Mayer a try to make it 0-19.
Stockport then had to defend again and as they ran the ball out Nic Smith suffered his injury just before half time.
After only three minutes of the second half Mayer got his second try, good recycling making the chance for him to beat the home defence. McGovern was on target for 0-26 and the bonus point was secured.
Stockport’s fifth try soon followed as hooker Andy Broadhurst was driven over from a lineout to make it 0-31.
More good driving and recycling resulted in a try for Sackville-West, just reward for the attacking running he had done in this game.
With the score at 0-36 and more than 60 minutes gone the referee decided enough was enough on this pitch.
Stockport have a break next week before they travel to Douglas Isle of Man, who are just two points ahead in the table after this week’s games.