Stockport left to rue missed opportunity

STOCKPORT RUFC ....... 15 SANDBACH ..................... 22

STOCKPORT welcomed Sandbach to the Memorial Ground hoping to avenge the attritional defeat in the reverse fixture.

The team on paper looked a strong one with Tom Metcalfe reinstated after injury and a strong back line named.

Port began well and after a penalty advantage, a superb long pass from Tom Eaton allowed Sam Fisher to continue his try scoring streak, with a score in the far corner. 5-0 (conv. missed).

Penalties were being conceded by either side and it added to the stopstart nature of the game. Closing in on the 20 minute mark and Bach were keen to establish themselves, with a very kickable penalty, but surprisingly it missed the mark.

Port had kept Bach at bay comfortably but an interception from the away side’s number 11 gave Sandbach an unexpected opportunity. From the resulting line-out and after many phases they punished Port and went over under the posts. 5-7 (try conv).

Port were struggling to get into the oppositions half and lighting struck twice as another inception, this time directly led to an easy run in for their no. 11. A real sucker punch. 5-14 (try conv).

Unperturbed, Port responded and Calum Owen went over after some good pick and go rugby. 10-14 (conv. missed).

Bach took the opportunity before half time to kick a penalty a few metres before the 10m line and a great nudge sent it over. 10-17

The second half kept to the same pattern, with Sandbach dominating territory and possession, however they couldn’t make this advantage pay.

Then a sobering moment as Dom Sheratte suffered a potentially season ending knee injury. All Port supporters wish you a speedy recovery. Jack Martin also had to leave the fray after a knock to his ribs.

A yellow card for a high tackle from Eaton gave Bach a chance to assert going into the final 20. They duly obliged and several phases later, scored what turned out to be the match winning try. 10-24 (try conv).

Alex Pantechis was on and Port, restored to a full complement, were pressing to get something out of the game.

They were rewarded with one of the final moves of the game with a second try for Owen and claimed a losing bonus point. Port had been clinical despite feeding of scraps and to their credit had stuck at it when admittedly not at their best… Final score Port 14 Sandbach 21.

Some crucial missed penalty kicks to touch and a creaky line-out, which has been brilliantly consistent over the last month or so, took the sting out of Port’s forward dominated game plan. There was also no sign of Port’s hugely effective driving maul, testament to how Bach blunted a lot of the home sides attacks.

The general consensus from the players was disappointment that they hadn’t reached the levels achieved in the last few matches and felt it was a missed opportunity to gain another win against a top four team.

Port move forward and this coming Saturday face a buoyant Wirral team who defeated Sandbach a few weeks ago - knowing that another tough match is in store.