North 2 West, 5th January 2008

Broughton Park 12 v 5 Stockport

Having gone down to their heaviest defeat since January 2007 in the corresponding away fixture, 'Park were up for the game with something to prove against the league leaders. Unfortunately they were not at full strength with 'Mighty Mouse' Guy Barlow tight-head prop missing and lineout specialist Jon Knight also absent. Stockport had their problems with a prop missing and a 2nd row going down with the vomiting bug before the game.

'Park started as they usually seem to tackling wave after wave of opposition attacks. They did not help themselves by kicking what ball they had straight back to the opposition. However, 'Park weathered the storm and pressed Stockport back into their own half causing a Stockport player not to release the ball in the tackle. Ronan O'Brien opted to attempt a kick at goal from long range. His kick with the following wind was successful. 3 - 0 to 'Park after 7 minutes.

Out-half Steve O'Connor made a typical scintillating break but at three yards from the line his pass was intercepted and Stockport came away with the ball from what seemed would be a certain try. On 18 minutes Stockport were again penalised for not releasing the ball in the tackle and Ronan O'Brien made no mistake with his kick.

Steve O'Conner kicked a teasing ball ball through but seemed to be illegally baulked but this was not spotted by the referee and the kick was cleared away from the Stockport lines. Steve seemed to be marked out as a danger man because after another teasing kick he was felled by what seemed to be a late tackle.

Stockport were again penalised within Ronan O'Brien's kicking range and after 24 minutes he made the score 9 - 0.

'Park outhalf's normally safe kicking out of hand went straight to a Stockport player who retained possession through many phases and eventually a forward scored wide out in the corner. 9 - 5 at half-time.

In the 2nd half almost immediately the 'Park number 8 was strangely sin binned for an illegal tackle. 'Park would have to play without his strong presence for 10 minutes. Soon after Steve O'Connor put in another teasing kick and was again felled by a late tackle which was spotted by the referee. 'Park managed to hold out without any scoring until John Clifford came back on again, in the mean time Stockport were down one man in the Sin Bin.

Wing Adam Knight nearly scored but the bouncing ball over the line eluded him. Another Stockport player was sin binned and with Stockport down to 13 men 'Park forced another penalty in front of the posts to make the score 12 - 5.

With 12 minutes to go 'Park were penalised and Stockport opted for a long range kick for goal when a kick to touch may have brought a better result. The kick was missed.

Stockport looked to be on for a try but 'speedy' Pat Hurley caught up for a try saving tackle and the danger was cleared. For the last 10 minutes 'Park were down to 14 men again when the 'Park 2nd row was judged to be offside and was given a yellow card for repeated offences.

The game finished with Stockport trying to run everything but were unable to get out of their own half under the pressure of the fierce Broughton Park tackling.

The winners for 'Park were their all round up in your face tackling game and Ronan O'Brien's impeccable kicking. 'Park stay 3rd in the table level on points with Stockport and two points behind leaders Chester.