Stourbridge get back to winning ways

Stourbridge returned to winning ways in style by running in nine tries to beat Stockport 62-7 in National League 2 North at Stourton Park.

The Midlands side, who hadn’t won in two games before this game, scored six first-half tries to heap further misery on to Stockport who are still awaiting their first win of the National Two North season.

A hat-trick from Stefan Cooksammy, Nathan Bressington, Dale Garner and Stefan Shillingford all got themselves on the score sheet to put Stourbridge 41-7 ahead after 40 minutes.

Stockport’s try and only score of the game came from Kieran Hibbs after a great catch and drive from the lineout.

Port were much better in the second half - which seems to be the case so far this season - but did ship three more tries as Bressington completed his hat-trick and was joined by Adam Sturdy to condemn Stockport to their second heaviest defeat of the campaign.

"It is disappointing, but for the first time in a defeat like that you can’t fault the effort of the lads," said Stockport captain Andy Fuller.

"The lads never gave up. Everything was positive.They played to their strengths and exploited our weaknesses. 

"They shot out of the blocks and we were caught napping and they executed everything they wanted to do.

"We now have to take the rough with the smooth. We had a fantastic year last year with getting promoted and this year it’s the poison challenge. We have to get on with it and keep moving forward.

"You can tell they are a National One standard side. They have been struggling recently, but they turned a corner today. They were much the better side so hats off to them."

This was evident from the word go as Stourbridge’s power and attacking endeavour was on full show with Cooksammy, Shillingford and Bressington putting on a brilliant display.

Stourbridge slotted over a penalty on six minutes after dominating the opening stages and two minutes later got their first try of the match. The wide option was exploited by Bressington who flung the ball to Cooksammy to score his first of three tries.

The home side were looking well drilled and well-disciplined in the tackle and with Stockport struggling at the set-pieces, Stourbridge started to turn the screw.

They crossed over twice more before the 20 minute mark as Bressington scored after a wonderful solo run by Shillingford starting in his own half. Cooksammy didn’t have to wait long for his second try as he round-off a free flowing move to make the score 20-0.

Stockport hardly had the ball in hand inside those 20 minutes and just weren’t allowed to get going as their opponents controlled proceedings.

But from the restart came Port’s try. After going through a number of phases and winning a couple of penalties, Stockport eventually touched down as Hibbs bundled his way over in the corner from an excellent catch and drive. Josh Longmore added the extras.

That was as good as it got for Stockport as Garner walked in a try on 31 minutes as Stourbridge had three or four men over on the right hand side.

Cooksammy completed his hat-trick three minutes before half-time, but the scoring wasn’t over for the half as Shillingford got in on the act after a superb kick through by Bressington to give his side a 34-point lead at the break.

Like so many times this season, Stockport have shown an improvement in the second half and that continued today. They were stronger defensively and went through the phases much better, but were still under pressure for the majority of the half.

On 55 minutes, Stourbridge once again used the wide option to their advantage as Sturdy managed to find a gap in the Stockport defence to score.

The home side thought they had their eighth try of the afternoon moments later, but Elliot Fletcher produced an excellent try saving tackle to highlight that Stockport had  not thrown in the towel and gave it all they had right up until the full-time whistle.

Despite Fletcher’s intervention, it wasn’t long before Bressington sealed his hat-trick as he linked up yet again with Shillingford to cross over six minutes from time and then in the final play of the game.
Stockport’s next game is against Huddersfield on Saturday at Headlands Road. Kick-Off 2:15pm.    

Stockport: J Edwards; Cantwell, G Smith, J Anthony, Fletcher; Longmore, M Edwards; Eccles, Baldwin, Marsland; Hopkins, Roddy; Mitchell, Millea, Fuller (capt).

Replacements: Graham, Gill,  K Hibbs, S Green,  Gaskell.

Try: K Hibbs
Con: J Longmore