The Knights travelled to Stockport in a second v third clash in one of only 2 games played at the weekend in Miller Homes Division 2.

The hastily assembled side included 5 third team players and a colt making his senior debut and the lack of cohesion was apparent as Stockport opened the scoring early with a well worked driving maul. When they doubled their lead with 15 minutes played Tyldesley were staring a heavy defeat in the face particularly as they were playing up the slope and into a breeze and against a side who have averaged 40 points at home this season.

Stockport were playing the conditions extremely well as you would expect from the home team, but rather than fold over which would have been the easiest thing to do, the visitors recognised that they would be up against it in the first period and knuckled down to a stern defensive effort and despite all the territory and possession Stockport struggled to break down the stubborn Tyldesley defence.

The second period was all about Tyldesley trying to break down the home team as it was their turn to have all the territory. Despite a huge effort from the forwards on a very sticky and increasingly heavy field, Stockport's defence held firm although Tyldesley had their chances. Featherston just failed to offload in the tackle with an overlap created, on another day Varden may have put Sargent through from 5 metres out and when Wallbanks pass, with a three on one, was called forward it was not going to be Tyldesley's day.

A valiant effort considering the throwing together of a team from 10am with good performances from no.8 Dexter who climbed out of his sick bed to play and Steve Jones at loosehead. Most of all was the unity the team showed after two early tries, after which, a lesser side would have folded.

It would appear that both Stockport and Burnage will be promoted from this division but the Knights must now target being the best of the rest and finish in third position. This in itself would be a tremendous achievement after only securing promotion back to division 2 on the last day of last season but with the current mix of youth and experience it is an achievable aim.

Next week the Knights entertain Ormskirk at SGP.