Stockport (u14) - 22 - 17 - Marple (u14)

Marple were unlucky to lose a stop-start match on a gloriously hot September morning at local rivals Stockport.
After some disjointed play and both sides conceding penalties under the new high-tackle laws, Marple scored first when Finn broke down the left and scored in the corner. to take the lead at 0-5.
Stockport played slightly the better rugby, moving the ball to their own left wing to good effect and managing to score two tries after Marple missed tackles, before extending the lead with a short drive over, to go in at the break 15-5 ahead.
Marple gradually found their footing and when Josh found a gap in the centre to race home from inside his own half, Isaac B converted to leave Marple 15-12 down, and Tyler scored with the next play, again racing through a gap to put Marple 15-17 ahead.
The game continued to be piecemeal with neither side playing particularly flowing rugby, but with the last play of the game and Marple only needing to clear their lines to secure the win, after a number of resets of a Marple scrum in their own 22, Stockport were awarded a penalty.
A quick tap led to a drive towards the posts; Marple's forwards were unfortunately still distracted by the previous scrum and despite Isaac B's despairing jackal, Marple knocked on as they tried to clear again and Stockport scored from a metre with the ensuing advantage, converting from under the posts to win 22-17.
A disappointing result and performance for Marple, who will look to bounce back next week with the first home match against Sheffield.