Stockport visited Moss farm with a Game Plan that was extremely well executed.

With Stockport below Northwich in the league and home advantage it was reasonable to expect more from the match than the blacks achieved. Stockport visited Moss farm with a Game Plan that was extremely we executed and went home deserved winners. A flu bug during the week took toll on several players and the effects seemed to carry on into the match where the blacks put in a lethargic performance. Prior to kick-off the bright sunshine was replaced with rainclouds and a gloom that never let up for the faithful

With 18 minutes gone in the first half Stockport were awarded a penalty and kicked for a lineout close to the Northwich try-line. With the ball secured the visitors created a maul and after a significant amount of pressure they finally crossed the line for a try. The extras were added and a pattern for the rest of the match established. Ten minutes later the blacks were on the attack, but a loose pass allowed Stockport to counter and eventually score from deep in their own half. The extras were added, and the score-line doubled. Five minutes later Northwich were again punished for not keeping control of the ball. A turnover at the ruck was followed by a kick deep into the Northwich 22. The unkindest of bounces was gathered by the visitors and they scored another try which went unconverted. Throughout the half Northwich had plenty of ball but failed to breach the Stockport defence which was resolute all afternoon. The half ended with Stockport clearly on top leading 19-0 and leaving the blacks wondering how it all went wrong.

From the re-start Northwich went on the attack which resulted in the visitors picking up a yellow card for not releasing. A subsequent scrum put the blacks in a strong position and with the extra man a fine pass to Eli Brizendine saw him cross the whitewash to open the Northwich account. The extras went begging but there was a glimmer of hope. This hope lasted until the 50th minute when the blacks failed to exit their 22 and the visitors applied pressure to the Northwich line. Following a good build-up and a great off-load the visitors were rewarded with a converted try. Ten minutes later their lead was extended with a penalty which almost put the result beyond doubt. As the match entered the last 10 minutes the blacks stole a lineout and launched an attack. The ball was moved to the left and then switched finding Tom Clark who needed no second invitation crossing the line for a try that was converted by Tom Husbands. As the gap narrowed there was some hope that a bonus point (or two) could be secured. This would not be the case as the final act was a successful penalty kick for the Stockport giving them a 32-17 victory.

This was a lack-lustre but there was certainly lots of effort with Sam Patterson and Man-of-the-Match Eon Du Preez leading the way. This was a frustrating contest for Northwich and the coaching team will no doubt be working hard during the week for what will be a difficult trip to Manchester KO 3.00pm

Northwich Team
15 Taylor Haugh
14 Jack Braithwaite
13 Boitumelo Tsatsane
12 Logan Mitchell
11 Eli Brizendine
10 Jack Geraghty
9 Austin Fernandez
1 Gabriel Sipapate
2 Jordan Clarke
3 Rory Leijdekkers (Capt)
4 Sam Patterson
5 Tom Clark
6 Eon Du Preez
7 Jack England
8 Joe Christian
Replacements
16 Richard Dale
17 Jack England
18 Aaron Collins