Wirral win maintains Port’s top-four pursuit
WIRRAL ........................... 21 STOCKPORT ................... 28 THEO BOWYER
PORT travelled to the Memorial Ground to face a Wirral side who had been in good recent form. Rory Atwil and Will Conner were welcomed back into the XV. There were also starting spots for Kieran Hibbs and James Shaw.
Before we kick off it is only right to mention the very sad loss of club steward Andy Green this last week.
He will be deeply missed by all the Stockport RUFC community.
Rest in peace Andy… you were a good egg.
Port began Saturday’s match strongly.
A superb nudge gave them an opportunity to bring their driving maul into play for the first time.
They moved the ball smoothly through the hands and the move ended with a lovely score for Hibbs. Simple but effective, a phrase which often sums up Port’s approach. It’s low risk rugby at its brilliant best. With the conversion, the score was 0-7.
Wirral had their own riposte, however, and went over for their first converted try, 7-7.
The half hour mark had been reached and it was another set piece scrum that was allowing Port to create opportunities.
A strong facet of Port’s is the control from the scrum. Very few teams can match their power in that area and at any level of rugby is a real asset.
Some quality passing led to Sam Fisher, running another intelligent line, going in at the corner.
After some tough early games, Fisher has really come into his own with ball in hand. His try was converted, 7-14.
Half time had been reached with a lead for Port, but not a comfortable one.
It meant this game was going to be another close one.
Credit to Port, they have become accustomed to winning the close games, showing composure in the crucial moments.
The next score proved it was going to be a close game after Wirral squared the match at 14-14 following a few missed tackles.
It was now time for calm heads, as a win was vital in Port’s push for a top four finish this season.
However, it was the team formally known as the ‘Old Wirralians’ who went ahead for the first time in the match at 21-14. A potentially devastating blow for the visitors.
Port’s character, however, is never in question, something that has been built long before the unbeaten season last year, and with only ten minutes on the clock it really was a case of now or never.
When you need the ever reliable, your go-to, the driving maul never fails. Port employed this battering ram to devastating effect for a massive try in context of the match Tom Gardner the beneficiary as the scores were levelled at 21-21. You certainly get your bang for buck when watching these boys play!
Entering the final five minutes - and in danger of repeating oneself - the ever reliable struck again.
After countless phases Port’s ‘go-to’ was set in perfect motion and a converted score for Paul McGookin, 28-21.
Port had well and truly arm wrestled their way back into the lead.
With minutes left on the clock, the visitors game managed professionally and another close win was secured.
Final score Wirral 21 Port 28.
A couple of notable mentions were Ewan Holt who recorded another immaculate kicking display and Gardner and McGookin who both provided Port with go forward momentum.
Stockport face a Lymm side this coming Saturday who will be bruised by their loss at home to Macc in a clash that has all the hallmarks of another classic.