Stockport remain top of table with victory over Kersal

STOCKPORT ................... 22 ALT. KERSAL .................. 17

WHILE securing another bonus point win against local rival Altrincham Kersal this was far from Stockport’s best performance of the season.

Although they dominated the first half in terms of possession and territory and had by far the most powerful scrum, Stockport committed too many errors and conceded too many penalties to take advantage of their superiority.

The visitors from AK had the better of the second period, keeping Stockport in their own half for much of the time. While Stockport defended well enough Altrincham Kersal made too many errors and chose wrong options and so missed several scoring chances themselves. A penalty with the final kick of the game secured a losing bonus point for the visitors and resulted in a 22-17 final score.

The visitors were first on the board after a Stockport knock-on following the kick-off and an AK penalty allowed them to go through the phases and a powerful drive by their forwards took them in for a try under the posts on just two minutes for a 0-7 lead.

Stockport created scoring chances but inaccuracy meant there was no score until 20 minutes in. A penalty was tapped by Simon Green and his run was supported by Cealin Mallon, the recycled ball was moved left by the backs and full-back Callum Owen popped the ball up to fly half Ewan Holt for the score. There was no conversion.

The AK scrum was under real pressure but their No 8 coped well to get the ball away from a retreating pack. The visitors full-back touched down in the dead ball area but his drop out from under the posts while his players were in front of him gave Stockport a five-metre scrum.

A penalty was awarded and Stockport opted for another scrum and the drive allowed Simon Green to control the ball and touch down. Holt converted to take the home side into the lead at 12-7 on 33 minutes.

From the restart Stockport played a penalty advantage and skipper Rory Austin made a strong run, breaking through many attempted tackles and running clear into the AK 22, he was well supported by Owen McPherson who ran in for the try, again there was no conversion but the lead was 17-7.

In the second half, Stockport kept the visitors out with good defence until, after a series of penalties, AK moved the ball to the right and the wing had space to run in and score a try, which was converted for 17-12 with six minutes to go.

At last Stockport put together some good plays and after winning several penalties a well organised drive from a line out gave substitute hooker Sam Graham a try, there was no conversion but Stockport had their bonus point. There was just time for the visitors to win and convert a penalty to gain their own losing bonus point.

Stockport remain top, four points ahead of Kendal. Next up is an away trip to Firwood Waterloo for what is always a tough fixture.