Penrith locked horns with top of the table Stockport last Saturday who
have yet to be beaten this season. They matched them blow for blow,
tackle for tackle and drive for drive but in the end the match was
decided on who made fewest mistakes and Penrith did make mistakes at
vital times.
Both sides played good open attacking rugby running the ball at every
opportunity and the first half hour saw them testing each others
defences to the limit, both sides made inroads but the lines held firm.
Stockport opened the scoring with a penalty and Steve Wood levelled the
scores when the home side were penalised, Stockport eased into a 6-3
lead with a second penalty and as the first period drew to a close
broke the Cumbrian line on half way and a strong run from the home No8
saw him score under the posts and the conversion gave them a 13-3 half
time lead.
Against the league leaders the visitors knew they had to make a good
start to the second half or they would quickly be out of the game. They
did make a strong start and put the home side on the back foot and
within two minutes had a try of their own, a strong run by Gary Hodgson
took play right under the Stockport posts, the recycled ball was moved
quickly to Wood on the right where the cover had not regrouped and he
put Mike Hawley away on the overlap who went round under the posts.
Wood's conversion pulled the visitors back within three points and were
soon in the lead as Penrith pressure forced a poor clearance kick, Paul
Newton and Gary Hodgson put Wood away who drew the last of the cover to
release Gav Cartmel who flew in at the corner.
Penrith had their noses in front, just, and could have done with a
period of stability but within two minutes made a telling mistake
getting a clearance kick charged down, they conceded a converted try as
a result to be immeadiately chasing the game again. Stockport extended
their lead with a penalty and as the Cumbrians strove to get back into
the game again were the masters of their own downfall when a spilt pass
in midfield led directly to another try.
At 28-15 Penrith were two converted tries behind but didn't give up the
fight, as the game drew to a close David Barton made a clean break down
the right and squeezed in at the corner to give his side hope, the
touchline conversion slide narrowly wide still leaving them two scores
behind but the game was sealed as the ball was spilt running a kick
ahead back and the home side made maximum use of the turnover ball
scoring in the corner.
Penrith were far from disgraced and for most of the game more than held
their own against probably the best side in the league, only one or two
minor lapses let them down but that is the difference between winning
and losing. The basics are there and there is no reason why they cannot
put together a good run and finish well up the league.