’Port see lead slip away in useful friendly
IN the final friendly before preparations for the next League season start in earnest Stockport hosted Glossop at Headlands Road in what proved to be a very competitive game.
Stockport got into a good lead at 29-12 going into the final quarter but Glossop found another gear and finished strongly with two late tries as Stockport played the last 10 minutes with only 13 men.
The visitors went home with a 29-33 win.
This series of friendly games have been a good chance to establish a promising looking squad with young players coming through from the colts.
Of particular note on this occasion Euan Holt showed great talent to score an excellent try, confusing the defence with a feint and side step, he also kicked well and made some very positive runs. On the wings Finlay Brackett and Tom Unsworth both ran and tackled well.
Established players also put in very positive performances and once again skipper Rory Austin showed real pace with a number of breaks and a run from halfway to score a try. Stockport will be working on ensuring they can close out winning positions as they prepare for the league programme.
A good early break by lock Ed Poulson set up a Stockport attack but the Glossop defence was good and they cleared to half way.
Keiran Hibbs made a great turnover and won a penalty for Stockport but the line out was over thrown and the Glossop No 6 was able to run into to score under the posts, 0-7.
Soon after Austin picked up a loose ball on half way and ran in his long range try, Dudley Southern converted for 7-7.
Some good build up play took Stockport into the Glossop 22 and Matt Lawrowitsch was able to offload for Ed Poulson to score, there was no conversion for 12-7.
Good running by Cealin Mallon and Kieran Hibbs allowed Stockport to put more pressure on Glossop and just before half time Holt scored his excellent try and Southern converted from wide out for a 19-7 lead.
Glossop remained competitive and in particular their very mobile and physical back row made life difficult for Stockport and the visitors soon had a try following a drive from a line out, which was unconverted for 19-12.
The whole second half was very competitive but it was Stockport who extended their lead as Austin made another powerful break, which was ended with a high tackle by the Glossop Number 7 who was yellow carded.
Stockport tapped the penalty and after good phases there was a try for Dom Sheratte, Southern was on target and Stockport had a very positive 29-12 lead.
Glossop secured the kick off and kept the ball alive well to give their centre a score to make it 29-19 as the game entered the final 10 minutes.
Glossop kept up the pressure, Tom Unsworth was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on as he tried to defend and Glossop were held up over the line before scoring from the resulting 5 metre tap to make it 29-26.
Attacking again with a run down the right wing Glossop gained a penalty and Stockport another yellow for handling on the ground and the Glossop Number 7 scored under the posts to give the visitors victory 29-33.