STOCKPORT RFC 14 v DMPRFC 40

However, it is an eighty minute game and although the home side were well in contention and in the lead after sixty minutes, the last quarter of the game belonged to DMPRFC as they ran in four unanswered converted tries to claim five league points.

The day started badly for DMPRFC who were let down by their bus contractor, eventually having the team bus arrive an hour and a half later than expected. That, along with the Saturday traffic in and around Stockport RFC, gave the squad less than 45 minutes to prepare, as the home side were less than accommodating, refusing to put back the 2pm game back, even for 15 minutes. However, it is probably reasonably accepted that any advantage that they could accrue would be taken, when they are so precariously placed in the relegation zone.

Anyway, the game started at the allotted time of 2pm, but it was clear that the disruption to preparations had affected the visitors, as they took an inordinate amount of time to ‘get out of the blocks’, looking uncharacteristically lethargic. This was also in no small way due to the enthusiastical way the home side tore into their opponents, by no means looking a team in the lower echelons of the league, destined for relegation.

Perhaps the home side were buoyed by the recent return of a few players who had earlier in the season sought to play at a higher level, or that they were genuinely ‘up’ for the game, whatever the reason, Stockport RFC certainly enjoyed the ‘lions share’ of possession in the first half.

The scores were level at a disappointing 0 – 0 for thirty minutes of the game, as Stockport battled well, but found for all their possession, they were only making progress across the field, lacking any sort of penetration.

The visitors did have some possession, but seemed lacklustre and with several enforced changes in the backline due to injury and unavailability, the usual cohesion wasn’t there initially.

Perhaps against the run of play, but a midfield break by visiting fly half Grant CONNON was supported well by Flanker Rory DUFF, who made further ground before offloading to a grateful Tom HODGSON who went over for the score (0 – 5).

Eight minutes later, DMPRFC were reduced to 14 men when flanker Charlie MADDISON was yellow carded for not rolling away after the tackle. The offence was close to the visitor’s goal line and therefore Stockport opted for a scrum with their numerical advantage.

DMPRFC were adjudged to have offended at the scrum when Stockport RFC were making progress to the line and the official awarded a penalty try (5 – 5), which was easily converted from under the posts (7 – 5) as the whistle for oranges followed.

As the game reseumed after the interval, Stockport RFC were themselves reduced in numbers, when their replacement scrum half recklessly ‘tip – tackled’ a DMPRFC player.

Both sides had rung the tactical and enforced changes by then, but it was DMPRFC who profited, with replacement centre Craig DOMINIC going over (7 – 10) after good work from fellow replacement hooker Andy TONKIN, who was certainly influencing proceedings. Grant CONNON converting (7 – 12).

Another yellow card for DMPRFC , when Liam RILEY was deemed to have illegally dropped a rolling maul and again this was immediately followed by a score from a series of close range pick and drives near to the posts (12 – 12). The conversion was successful (14 – 12) and perhaps deservedly, Stockport RFC were in front.

Shortly afterwards, the yellow card count was evened up, when a Stockport player transgressed, which finally signalled the visitors to ‘crank up the ante’ scoring 4 unanswered, converted tries in less than ten minutes.

Tries from Grant CONNON, Zylon McGAFFIN and Rory DUFF followed, all converted by Grant CONNON, as DMPRFC strung together the passages of flowing, well supported, fast rugby for which they are renown, blowing away the challenge of Stockport for a score line of 14 – 33.

Grant CONNON added a second try for his brace just before full time, when he stripped the ball from an opposition attacker and raced to the line (14 – 38), composing himself to add the conversion (14 – 40) as the final whistle blew.