Wednesday 18 December 2024 09:25
Stockport 36pts v Newport 22pts
Newport’s first ever visit to Stockport didn’t go too well as they were deservedly beaten by the better side on the day. A crash on the M6 resulted in a diversion that delayed their arrival and on a bitterly cold day in South Manchester the hosts dominated the early exchanges and were in at the right-hand corner after just six minutes to give them a 5 – 0 lead.
Fergus Lamb then claimed the re-start to set up the first Newport attack but a knock-on thirty out saw the chance fizzle out. James Tideswell then won the first of several penalties awarded at scrum time, Benny Elliot taking them into Stockport territory before an attempt to gain further territory saw the kick go out on the full to bring proceedings back to half-way.
Newport then failed to deal with a Stockport kick through and after regathering, the home team manufactured space to go in for their second on nineteen minutes, converted this time to make it 12 – 0. The visitors were, perhaps, guilty of overplaying somewhat in an attempt to get their pacy wingers, Charlie Gamble and Reece Beddows into space but they were always shut down by a Stockport defence showing remarkable line speed (a cynic might suggest they were offside all afternoon) making it extremely difficult to pick the right attacking options.
Stockport then put a penalty into touch just inside the Newport twenty-two and drove over from distance with the visitors not showing enough mettle or organisation to halt things so not for the first time this season they found themselves 17 – 0 down with twenty-eight minutes gone and perhaps staring down the barrel of a big defeat.
We should have known better as George Perkins burst through the Stockport midfield to set up a great position from where Elliot somehow managed to squeeze round on the outside of the home defence and go in at the corner to reduce the arrears to 17 – 5 with thirty-two gone. There was more to come when Newport stole a Stockport line out and ran some hard straight lines before Ricky Bailey broke free to dot down by the posts, Elliot’s regulation conversion meaning Newport were right back in it at 17 – 12.
A repeat set of penalties awarded to the visitors saw them set up camp on the home line but they somehow knocked on trying to drive over which signalled the end of a fluctuating half with honours just about even and Newport looking forward to having the benefit of the slope in the second period.
The second half saw seven or eight minutes elapse with neither side able to threaten before a quick tap penalty by Jack Ingram gained twenty metres or so which was then carried on by Lamb and Perkins and resulted in Stockport knocking on whilst defending desperately. Newport had the drive on at the scrum and were awarded a penalty which Elliot duly slotted to inch them even closer at 17 – 15 with forty-eight gone. Gamble then dealt superbly with a clever Stockport chip through and somehow cleared to half way with only the slightest of angles to play with.
Sadly for Newport, the home side managed to get over in the right hand corner with what was virtually their first “sniff” of the half and a superb touchline conversion gave them some breathing space at 24 – 15 with fifty-two minutes played. Newport then spilled the ball in attack and Stockport were back in Newport territory before both Finn Barnes and Matt Hubbart went down injured in the same incident, Hubbart forced to retire whilst Barnes soldiered on. Jordan Grass, Del N’Goma and Rob Taylor had all entered the fray from the bench at this stage but they couldn’t prevent Stockport from adding their fifth, wide out to the left again converted to make it 31 – 15 and the game slipping further away from the visitors.
The result was put beyond doubt when Stockport scored again, extending their lead to 36 – 15 with eleven minutes left on the clock. Beddows then prevented further damage with a great run out of defence before drawing a penalty in the tackle that Elliot deposited into Stockport’s twenty-two. If they could grab a score here they could possibly come away with a bonus point or maybe even two if time allowed. Stockport repelled the visitor’s drive to the line but eventually Barnes managed to clatter over from short range, the conversion making it 36 – 22.
Two minutes remained for Newport to try and claim a fourth try and close the gap to seven and take home two points rather than none. Whilst Newport retained possession in the Stockport twenty-two for what seemed an age the home defence remained robust as it had been for the majority of the afternoon and when Newport finally spilled it the game was up at 36 – 22 and they were left to return home with nothing from what proved to be an extremely difficult encounter.
Difference between the two teams? Aggressive line speed defence from Stockport who were also far more clinical in the red zone.
Newport now move on to play Leek at home next Saturday before going into the Christmas break. This game has taken on more significance given their big win over Penrith at the weekend which has given them renewed hope of breaking out of the bottom two. Much will depend on the situation with Newport’s growing injury list but it promises to be a cracker (pun intended!) Kick-Off at the Old Showground is at 2.15pm
