WITH THE agreement of both clubs, the stakes were raised in Saturday's North 2 West clash at Stockport by also making it their Cheshire Cup quarter final game as well.
In a tough, bruising encounter it was the forwards power of Stockport that finally told and resulted in Caldy's first reversal of the season.
Caldy kicked off and an over eager Stockport side were caught offside, but the long penalty kick from Marcus Coast went just wide.
On 16 minutes the Stockport stalwart fly half Louis Marx fired home a penalty kick for 3-0 and Caldy, playing up the hill, needed to dig deep in defence. On 20 minutes the home side secured the ball from a line out and Marx dropped a goal to extend the lead to 6-0.
With their tails up Stockport were on a charge with forging runs particularly from the second row forwards. Caldy's defence was not to be breached. A good break from Broadhurst resulted in a penalty to the left of centre but Coast had no problem in stroking it home to reduce the arrears to 6-3.
After six minutes Caldy levelled the score with another fine penalty kick from Coast. From the restart Caldy were immediately put under pressure as they knocked on in their 22.
For over five minutes Caldy resisted a 'full on' barrage from their hosts and the Wirral men refused to give way.
Both teams had put in 100% and there was still 20 minutes remaining.
Colin Nevett, the Stockport second row continued to produce some bullying runs and although Caldy had chances on occasions they seemed to lack the courage of their conviction particularly when the ball came out wide. Play was then brought to an abrupt halt and a long delay ensued whilst Steve Barlow, the Stockport tight head prop received treatment for a shoulder/neck injury he had sustained earlier.
The break did not interrupt the ferocity of the game as Caldy charged down the pitch.
As they reached the home 22 a clearance kick in an instant returned them back inside their own half. It was here that Stockport set up a driving maul. Tim Oakes then produced a good angled run and score the telling try.
With the conversion missed the score was now at 11 - 6. With over five minutes remaining Caldy were not out of the game as they pressed into the Stockport 22. The effective Caldy line out was not able to make its mark as the ball was not straight from the throw and again the hosts cleared to halfway.
In the final three minutes Stockport gave away eight penalties as they tried to break down the play and they were successful in stopping that score.
They were just about value for money in their victory against a Caldy side that were, overall below par. Undoubtedly there will be few teams in this league that will go the distance unbeaten.
Next week the league calculations can be put on hold as teams return to Powergen Cup action. Caldy host Winnington Park at Paton Field for a 3pm kick-off.
