Another defeat on the Road the lacklustre thirds

Buxton 3rd XV 5 Stockport 62

Buxton were outclassed by a superior back line and a strong set of forwards and to be honest some sloppy tackling and defensive alignment. From the kick off Stockport caught the Thirds napping and after a series of sweeping moves touch down for their opening try. A second followed shortly afterwards and it looked like a long afternoon was in store for Buxton. However this team never gets downhearted and rallied by Allen they produced an excellent ten minutes of play. Bennison made the first of several effective breaks and the forwards took the attack on and drove deep into Stockport territory. Stockport scrambled the ball clear but Buxton had a throw in ten metres from the Stockport line. Using a well rehearsed move, Cavanagh powered his way to the line and seemingly touched the ball down, only to be ruled held up. Buxton had the put in and secured clean ball. preece fired the ball out and the move appeared to have died out. Chapman secured the ball and the move moved right with the forwards driving as a unit for the line. Preece using his experience darted for
the line and supported by Dilworth got the try. For a fleeting moment it seemed as if the thirds would get back into the game, but defensive lapses and some positional naivety gifted more points to Stockport and the game was ended as a contest by half time. An injury to Preece necessitated some changes to the half backs. Buxton never gave up, Allen charged at the defenders all afternoon and Cavanagh took numbers of defenders to bring him down. Nichols had a half break, Ford showed some strength on the wing and Burton showed some strong running, but the Thirds could not string enough phases together to make any progress. With the last kick of the match Stockport launched a speculative punt upfield, as the ball bobbled about in the in goal area, Pollitt fell awkwardly and damaged his knee while Stockport helped themselves to another try.

Next week at home to Marple.

Bearman, Fussell, Austin, Cavanagh, Henderson, Allen, Dilworth, Chapman, Preece, Bennison, Ritchie, Nichols, Burton, Ford, Gardin, Pollitt, Rose