Stockport frustrated by Broadstreet

Stockport were left frustrated by a Broadstreet side who scored five tries as they came away from Headlands Road with a 39-3 victory in National League 2 North.

Ashley Elvers and Joshua Palmer touched down to give Street a 15-3 half-time lead despite Stockport dominating possession.

The visitors were then reduced to 13 men as Piere Ferre was shown a yellow card just before the break and Beau Carney shortly after, but Port were unable to take advantage of this.

Broadstreet then grew in confidence an added three more tries during the second half through a penalty try, Carney and Elvers again to cap off a frustrating afternoon for the hosts.

Stockport vice-captain Chris Roddy said: "I think we have made a lot of bad decisions across the park today.

"When perhaps passes weren’t on, we gave them but it’s the basic mistakes which keep haunting us every week and unless we address them it’s going to be same result unfortunately.

"We didn’t get the break through and I think it’s because of basic organisation. I think our forwards didn’t play as well as we know we can and people were going in, in ones and twos rather than with more numbers. When they have a two man deficit we really should be pointing points on the board.

"The good thing about Stockport is that there is a great team ethos here and everyone is determined to do well.

"We don’t give up. Like Fuller [ Captain Andy Fuller] said in the changing rooms afterwards, it has to be a case of get back on the horse next week, get down to training in the week and work hard. It will come for us, but as I say it’s just about making the right decisions and stopping the mistakes."

Stockport remained bottom of National Two North after this defeat whilst Broadstreet moved up to 11th after winning their last four matches.

Port’s performances at home have been improving each week since the start of the season, but today was another difficult day for the home side who have seen their momentum slip away in the last couple of weeks.

Street’s fly-half Benjamin Palmer kicked over an early penalty before Elvers got the first try on the board after eight minutes.

He completed a quick flowing move by using his pace to glide past the Stockport defence to score in the corner after a well-timed pass by Carney. Benjamin Palmer converted.

It was an uncharacteristic slow start at Headlands Road by Stockport who just couldn’t get their set-piece together in the opening exchanges.

They did start to show some intent though. They had couple of half chances after good breaks by Roddy and George Smith and eventually, after a number of penalties were awarded to Stockport, they took advantage of one as Mark Edwards nudged it over for 3-10.

But then the frustration started to kick in for Stockport who had so much of the ball for the majority of the first half, but they just couldn’t break down a well organised Broadstreet defence.

The frustration then grew further as Broadstreet grabbed their second try with their second opportunity over the half just before the break.

From a turnover on the halfway line, Ferre broke free to find winger Nathan Tilsley before he flicked outside for Josh Palmer to score.

Stockport were then thrown a lifeline as Ferre was shown a yellow card for being offside on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts started the second period in the ascendency and that was aided by Carney joining his team-mate in the sin bin for also being offside.

It looked as if Stockport would take the game to Broadstreet, but despite having numerous penalties and coming within inches of the try line they just couldn’t find the breakthrough even when a determined Elliot Fletcher made a couple of good half breaks.

The visitors added three more points to the scoreboard on 52 minutes which highlighted the resilience they had after withstanding immense Stockport pressure.

And as the light started to fade in Brahmall, unfortunately so did Stockport’s chances of winning the game as a penalty try was awarded to Broadstreet with 12 minutes to go. Palmer added the extras.

Broadstreet then immediately secured their bonus point with Carney producing a smart finish by the posts, with Palmer slotting the conversion for 3-32.

Stockport were overpowered at the scrum last week by Otley and the same applied this afternoon and that is how the final try of the match was scored.

After a superb scrum which was won by the visitors, the ball found its way to centre James Otutaha who set Elvers free who went over for his second try of the day to heap further misery on a Stockport side who had had another tough day at the office.

Stockport’s next match is away at Leicester Lions next Saturday. Kick-Off is 2pm

Stockport: J Edwards; Fletcher, Platt-Hughes, J Anthony, Tennuci;  Smith, M Edwards;  S Green, Baldwin, Marsland;  C Hibbs, Roddy ; C Anthony, Millea, Fuller (capt).
Replacements: Nicholson,  Graham,  Hopkins, K Hibbs, Street.

Pen: M Edwards

Broadstreet: Murray; Elvers,  Tilsley, Otutaha, J Palmer; B Palmer, Ferre; Wood, Carney, Martin; Soloman, Van Heerden; Dodd, Pearl, Sandys
Replacements: Beddows, Foreman, Wisniewski, Thatcher, Myring

Tries: Elvers (2), J Palmer, Penalty Try, Carney
Cons: B Palmer (4)
Pens: B Palmer (2)