’Port return to winning ways
STOCKPORT returned to winning ways by completing a dominant 33-17 win against Bowdon at Headlands Road.
With the forwards once again taking control over their opposite numbers, Bowdon never had a chance to get into the game.
The Stockport front row, yet again all three of them completing the full 80 minutes, not only won the scrums but all three were prominent in the loose.
The backs ran good lines and linked effectively with the supporting forwards and fullback Callum Owen ran well out of defence and put in some vital tackles as well as finishing off to get Stockport’s fifth try.
While the visitors did have some promising runs and a much more competitive second half, the Stockport defence was well organised, only allowing the Bowdon backs to break through with the last play of the game, when the visitors got their second try.
Stockport started well and had a try after only two minutes after an early penalty gave them a line out and the drive was well controlled and prop Tom Gardner got the first of his two tries as the pack took him over the line. Dudley Southern was on target for 7-0.
The Bowdon No. 10 kicked a long range penalty before Gardner was on the score sheet again with a copy drive from a line out to take Stockport into a 14-3 lead. It looked as if there was going to be a third try as Callum Owen made a good break and his pass seemed to have put centre Harry Rapley clear but the Bowdon defender just got him into touch before he reached the try line.
The 14-3 half time score did not really reflect the dominance Stockport had in the half.
Bowdon got the second half started with an early score as their forwards carried the ball from a line out and got the ball over the line to make it 14-10. Stockport responded immediately as Kieran Hibbs charged down the Bowdon clearance attempt from the restart and followed up to get a try, Southern added the two points and an effective margin was restored at 21-10.
On 55 minutes yet another good attack by the forwards allowed fly half Tom Eaton to send a long pass to Southern on the wing and he just managed to stay infield to score the bonus point try, with no conversion it was 26-10.
Following a great clearance by Rapley Stockport had a line out 10 metres out but Bowdon managed to spoil it and clear. The visitors then had a good break by their Number 8 and he put his centre away but Rapley chased him down to prevent a certain try.
Another Bowdon attack set up a line out 10 metres from the Stockport line but No.6 Will Connor took the line out and Stockport were able to clear.
A 30 metre drive by the Stockport forwards won a penalty and the ball was driven to near the posts and moved to the right where Owen came into the line to get the score, Southern converted from the touchline for 33-10.
With the last play of the game the Bowdon No 10 made a break from his own 22, evading the tackles and his long run was supported by their right wing and he took an inside pass to score under the posts to give the visitors their second try for a final score of 33-17.
Stockport move up to seventh place to go one point ahead of next week’s opponents Firwood Waterloo, a game to be played away at Blundell Sands.