CLIVE OLDHAM

STOCKPORT 1st XV managed to provide some starry rugby as they beat their visitors from the Wirral, claiming the try bonus point into the bargain, thus stabilising their mid-table position.

Both teams started a little cagily with all the play between the 22s.

Birkenhead were awarded a penalty just outside the home 22, Stockport having been caught ‘holding on’. This was scored, despite the kicker slipping, 0-3.

This seemed to galvanise Stockport into action. After a superb break by Man of the Match SackvilleWest, the ball was mauled on the visitors’ try line with Brotherton touching down. A superb conversion by Eaton followed.

From the restart a late tackle by Birkenhead gave Stockport a penalty which unfortunately struck a post. More home pressure followed with the Stockport left wing tackled into touch.

The pack were now going through the phases and from a successful ruck on the Birkenhead 22, scrum half Austin made a superb blindside run to score.

Straight from the restart Stockport were penalised for holding on again. The visitors kicked towards the corner and after mauling the ball 15m off the ensuing line out, got the converted try, 12-10.

Just before half time, a Stockport penalty kick failed to reach touch. However, things went the home team’s way as they won the ball back in Birkenhead’s 22. After a sequence of five forward drives, Brotherton in the right wing position duly claimed his second try. No conversion, making it 17-10 at half time.

When the game resumed a Birkenhead player was