Derby defeat to clincal rivals
NORTHERN DIVISION NORTH ONE WEST BURNAGE ....................... 28 STOCKPORT ................... 19 MIKE ATKINSON
STOCKPORT travelled to Burnage for this local derby but, despite considerable dominance in the forwards, were unable to overcome the home side.
The line speed of the Burnage backs did not allow the Stockport runners to take advantage of the forward effort and the home defence was solid against the considerable pressure exerted by the visitors for most of the game.
The home side scored three tries in the first half on almost the only three occasions they got into the opposition half.
Stockport spurned several chances to kick penalties from on or around the Burnage 22, opting for the lineout option – but they were only able to manage one unconverted score to make it 21-5 at half time.
Burnage got an early second half try to seal their bonus point, while the dominant Stockport forwards produced two converted second half tries, one a penalty try, to make the final score 28-19 to the hosts.
The visitors started well but Burnage made a good clearance into the Stockport 22, the clearance from the lineout went to Burnage hands and the ball was sent to their right wing who broke the tackle of Sackville-West and ran in through the remaining defence for the first score of the day.
Stockport put the pressure on again and were camped in the home 22 but the Burnage defence was sound until their No 5 was yellow carded and Stockport dominated two scrums, being held up from the first and failing to touch the ball down as it was moved right from the second and taken over the line.
Burnage then got into the Stockport half again and the visitors line out went wrong and the Burnage 9 went through a gap to give his No 6 a try, which was converted for 14-0.
Burnage continued the pressure from the kick off and eventually their No 15 went in under the posts after some good Stockport defence had kept them at bay for several minutes.
With five minutes to go in the half Stockport eventually got on the scoreboard as the ball was moved left, following some patient recycling by the Stockport forwards, quick hands by Eaton, Schofield and Mayor gave Sackville -West a try in the corner to make it 21-5 at the break.
The first score in the second half was always going to be important and it went to Burnage after only three minutes, effectively sealing the result.
Their No 11 make ground through the midfield and after being recycled the ball was touched down by the No 7 for 28-5.
Stockport were then always playing catch up, the forwards made a great effort with two 30-40 metres drives, one of which resulted in a penalty try.
Matt Lawrowitch got a touch down after patient recycling by the Stockport forwards to get Stockport to 28-19.
In the meantime Burnage had missed a penalty when Tom Eaton was harshly yellow carded for a high tackle.
Stockport continued to work well in the forwards and a good position was lost as another yellow card was issued for a push off the ball.
With a penalty opportunity to gain a losing bonus point spurned another line out went awry and Stockport had to come away with nothing.
Now in sixth place Stockport face fourth placed Blackburn at home next week, kick off 3pm.