Stockport hold out for victory
STOCKPORT ................... 36 ANSELMIANS ................ 27
STOCKPORT hosted promoted side Anselmians in what proved to be very much the proverbial game of two halves.
Stockport got off to a great start and within 35 minutes were 33-7 up, having played exciting, accurate fast-paced rugby, scoring five tries.
However, they failed to score again until a penalty was converted with the very last kick of the game for a 36-27 bonus point victory.
Anselmians, who had been outplayed in the first half, dominated the second half, with some good moves and kept Stockport in their own half for most of the period.
They scored 17 points of their own to go with the 10 they scored in the first half to make it an uncomfortable last 10 minutes for the home side and were unlucky to be deprived of a losing bonus point by that final kick.
An early penalty gave Stockport a line out 10 metres from the visitors line and good continuity gave them possession at a ruck in front of the posts. The ball went left and full back Rhodri Mayor passed inside to Matt King for the new recruit to score his first try for the club.
Stockport ran the kick off and Simon Green was put into space on half way, he was hauled down just short of the line but the recycled ball went to lock Marc Benson, who powered over. Liam McGovern converted for 12-0.
Anselmians ran the ball from half way and some good support running gave their blindside a try as they took advantage of some missed tackles by Stockport for 12-7.
Stockport replied immediately after good support running and recycling resulted in a try for prop Matt Lawrowitch. McGovern added the two points for 19-7.
There was more pressure from Stockport and some good breaks to set up a line out and the continuity gave prop Jordan Pearson a try near the posts to clinch the bonus point.
A break by McGovern put Tom Eaton into the Anselmians half but he was stopped by a dangerous tackle that resulted in the visitors No 6 being yellow carded, Stockport added another try by Nic Smith as he took an inside pass from Austin to make it 33-7. Anselmians added a late penalty to end the half at 33-10.
Stockport made a poor start to the second half, having a pass intercepted in their own 22. Anselmians kept the pressure on and scored a converted try, running from a five metre scrum for 33-17.
A yellow card for Dean Schofield gave Anselmians the advantage in the scrum and they kept Stockport in their own half, unable to make ground.
The visitors created a four-man overlap on the right and their No 6 scored his second for 33-24.
A lucky bounce from a kick ahead gave Anselmians a chance for another try but last ditch Stockport defence prevented a score. However, a penalty was conceded and the visitors kicked the goal to make it 33-27 with just over five minutes to go.
With more positive play by Stockport in the last minutes they were awarded the penalty that robbed their visitors of at least a point from the game.
Next week Stockport are away at Warrington.