1st XV
Matches
Sat 11 Jan 2020  ·  North One West
Stockport
41
26
Penrith RUFC Ltd
1st XV
Tries: C Tyson, N Allcock, D Richardson, D MorlandConversions: B Spencer (3)Yellow Carded: J Rossi, E Swale
STOCKPORT 41  PENRITH 26

STOCKPORT 41 PENRITH 26

Mike Sanderson12 Jan 2020 - 16:32
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PENRITH COME HOME WITH BONUS POINT ON A DIFFICULT DAY

Penrith knew they faced a difficult trip to Stockport but on the day it proved to be difficult on more than one level. Firstly Penrith's festive break had been a week longer than their hosts with the unfortunate postponement of the Keswick game whereas Stockport had seen an improvement in their form the week before with an away win at league leaders Wilmslow.
Secondly on the day the journey itself proved more than difficult, more than half an hour was lost on the motorway side with window wiper problems in Tebay's monsoon conditions and then a closure of the M6 between Lancaster and Preston lost even more time than originally envisaged and the team coach arrived at the ground five minutes after kick off time.
The half hour warm up time promised en route was quickly reduced to quarter of an hour on arrival and Penrith were virtually straight off the coach and into the game, then understandably made a slow start. The Stockport pack were much bigger and heavier than the Cumbrian eight and made this tell early on although as the game progressed the away side's superior fitness saw them turn the tables. Stockport won a penalty at the first scrum and with the slope and wind in their favour kicked to the corner for an attacking lineout. They secured the ball but excellent defence held the big home pack at bay but at the cost of a second penalty. This was again put to the corner and this time the home forwards got their act together and executed a copybook catch and drive to score a converted try.
As the game progressed Penrith got themselves into the game, Craig Price and Dan Richardson made ground for Bruce Spencer to get away on the outside and chip ahead for the line. Colt, Nathan Allcock, making his debut chased hard and almost got to the ball but the home side scrambled it clear. George Graham and Andy Muir were instrumental in getting Penrith on top but it was Mason Lewthwaite who created his side's opening score. His half break and clever pop pass out of the tackle on the 22 was read by Jay Rossi who took the pass and danced towards the line. He was held up and first on the scene in support was prop Craig Tyson who took the pass and crashed over.
The difficult conversion into the wind was missed and Penrith trailed by two but it was soon nine points as the home side used the elements and scored a second catch and drive try after kicking a penalty deep into the away side's 22. Penrith were still taking the game to the home side but were almost immediately dealt a hammer blow when Graham had a pass intercepted and a converted try was run in from half way.
There was still little between the sides as half time approached when Stockport kicked another penalty to the corner, this time they did not score directly from the lineout but after a number of phases did go over in the corner. They led 26-5 at the break and on other days that might have been it for some Penrith sides but not this one, with the wind at their backs they did dig in and win the second half, score another three tries and come home with a four try bonus point.
They started the second period well, after five minutes Richardson and Ian McDowell combined well to get young Allcock away on the right, he made ground before exchanging passes with McDowell which gave him a clear run to the line, Spencer converted and Penrith's followers began to hope. Hope was short lived as a Penrith clearance kick from their own deadball area failed to get three foot off the ground, was charged down and a soft try conceded. The away side were then caught cold by a planned play at the front of a lineout on their 22 and the hooker got away for another soft try.
Penrith heads didn't drop and their next chance came when they kicked a penalty to within 5m of the home line, they won the lineout but couldn't force the maul over the line, they retained the ball and after two aborted attempts to drive over the ball came to Richardson who twisted and turned and forced his way over.
The Cumbrians now only needed a single try with 20 minutes left on the clock for the bonus point but it was the home side who scored next, a slip in the centre left a gap and full advantage was taken to score in the corner. The game had started half an hour after kick off time and although a second pitch was available with floodlights play was still being played in natural light on the main pitch in the gathering gloom as Penrith strove for a fourth score.
Graham almost finished off a move he been involved in several timesn as he was held up just in front of the posts but eventually they got their chance with the put in to the scrum under the home posts. After an injury break it was even gloomier and with the away pack now in the ascendancy Spencer fed the set scrum. Josh Dowson was off the back at No8 in a flash, the ball came to Graham who floated the scoring pass out to Dan Morland who had come off the bench, he managed to gather it in the darkness and go in at the corner and Penrith had made the best of a difficult day.
Things will not get any easier as they travel to top of the table Wilmslow next.

Match details

Match date

Sat 11 Jan 2020

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

North One West

League position

7
Stockport
8
Penrith
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Ladies Sponsor - David Allen
Main Sponsor - Jenkinson's Forest Products