Penrith played their final game of the season at the weekend with nothing at stake, they did have their pride to play for along with the chance to put a damper on league champions, Stockport's, end of season celebrations. Stockport had gone through the season undefeated, had only failed to pick up a four try bonus on five occasions and only allowed two sides to finish within a score off them and secure a losing bonus point.
It was going to be a tall order for the home side to spoil the party but they couldn't have tried any harder, they threw themselves into the game with great gusto, their defence was outstanding despite the fact they spent long periods of the game without the ball and they were always fighting an uphill battle against a very big, strong and well organised pack.
It wasn't difficult to see why they had gone unbeaten, they played with confidence and structure and as happens in a good run, winning becomes a habit and they weren't going to be easily knocked off course. They did however realise early, on they were in a game and it was going to be no end of season romp and tempers on occasions became a little frayed.
Penrith's pack early on struggled with the visitor's rolling mauls, especially from the lineouts and at times conceded 10 and 20 yards at a time as the game wore on they got their heads around it and were able to counter it. The visitor's attack was a bit of a blunt instrument and comprised mainly of strong running through the forwards, it was effective enough but they offered little threat behind the scrum and this was where the Cumbrians were at their most dangerous.
It was the home side, who after withstanding the visitor's opening attacks, took the lead. From a scrum on the 22 George Graham got the ball away quickly to Mike Fearon who had Brad Taylor, up from full back, on his outside. Taylor made ground into the midfield defence and when tackled Graham was immediately there to move the ball on and release Fearon again, he made half a break, got in behind the defence and was able to put Fraser Nicolson into space on the outside to run in at the corner.
The conversion was missed but Penrith soon had a chance to extend their lead, Jamie McNaughton, assisted by a strong wind, launched a monster kick from his own half that found touch in the Stockport 22, it was a perfect example of the new 50/22 law and the attacking side had the throw in to the lineout. Possession from the lineout was scrappy but Graham tidied up and then almost made the line.
It was then the visitors turn to threaten as their pack forced the home side to concede a string of penalties and play for some time was deep in the home 22. Penrith defended heroically, they had an attacker held up over the line and numerous last ditch tackles on the line. Eventually the visitor's immense pressure told and from a quickly taken tap penalty crossed for a converted try and led 7-5.
Just as the first half came to a close the Cumbrians retook the lead, Dan Richardson, at No8, cleared up very messy ball at the set scrum in his own 22, the ball came to McNaughton who hoisted a huge punt on the wind. The ball was fielded but the catcher who was immediately tackled, the ball ran loose and was hacked on by Fearon and McNaughton was on hand when the ball came to a halt just short of the line, he gathered it up and spotted it down between the posts, the home side led by12-7 at the break.
The Stockport pack turned the screw in the second half and Penrith saw even less of the ball, their defending was still massive though and the visitors had to fight for every yard gained. The home side again had the ball carrier held up over the line, attackers were forced into touch just short of the line in either corner but the pressure eventually told. The visitors scored first from a five metre scrum to take the lead and then from a well executed move off the tail of the lineout to lead by a score.
As the game went into the final 10 minutes it was the hosts who finished the game the stronger as they threw caution to the wind, threw the ball about and could well have forced a third try to tie the game. It was not to be but Penrith could be more than proud of their final showing of the season, there's no doubt if they'd played throughout the season with the spirit and endeavour shown here this game could well have been the league decider.