North Manchester entered their final week of the season with two games in four days. North travelled to Stockport last Wednesday to face an extremely strong Stockport side in what turned out to be one of the classic games in North’s recent history in front of an extremely large crowd.

The game began at a frenetic pace with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. The temperature was hot both on and off the pitch, and despite the evening kick-off this was arguably the warmest conditions of the season. Stockport began to get the upper hand and held the territorial advantage for most of the half. The forward battle was ferocious and players were putting their bodies on the line in every ruck and maul. Stockport’s backline was arguably the best North had faced all season and North’s defence had to be top class to stop the home side from scoring. North largely spent the opening 40 minutes in their own half but whenever wingers Aaron Duoba and Kyle Howard touched the ball they looked extremely dangerous.

Captain Gary Pugh was leading by example and forced countless turnovers in the first half which allowed North to clear their lines on several occasions. John Eady is normally the catalyst behind North’s attacking play but was putting in an immense defensive performance from his fly-half position and thwarted many try scoring opportunities..

Stockport finally scored the try their performance had deserved just before the half time whistle when their speedy full back went over in the corner. The conversion was missed but the home side led 5-0..

The phenomenally fast pace continued in the second half but North were much more of an attacking force, despite the loss of centre Dave Garvey with a recurrence of the calf injury that had forced him out of the previous game. Scrum half Matthew Wallace and Fly-half John Eady began to control the game and were capitalising on the platform their forwards were giving them. North were camped within the Stockport 22 but the home defence was as impressive as their attack and North were unable to get over the line despite excellent attempts by Scott Danby, Chris Hyland and Steve Donoghue. .

It was becoming increasingly difficult for the home side to clear the pressure, and North finally capitalised on their dominance when youngster Kyle Howard charged down an attempted clearance kick and used his speed to beat the defender to the ball which had bounced over the try-line. Howard calmly fell on the ball and North were now level at 5-5. The conversion was missed but North continued to attack..

The large crowd was being treated to one of the games of the season as the game became very open with both sides launching attacks from their own 22. Time was running out and the game seemed to be heading for a draw and when North were reduced to 14 men for a high tackle Stockport looked to take advantage. Once again North’s pack, Matthew Wallace and John Eady excelled during this period and good defence by the visitors kept the scores level..

With only seconds to go, flanker Kev Green ran through the heart of the home defence before being stopped 10 metres from the try line. Quick ball allowed Wallace to feed powerhouse prop Darren Seddon who was tackled inches from the line by three defenders. Seddon’s strong run had drawn the Stockport backline in and when Wallace fed John Eady, the classy fly-half dummied the long pass and nipped between two tacklers to give North the lead. The conversion was missed but North had claimed victory in an incredible game where both teams had given absolutely everything they had in front of a large crowd..

North had some incredible performances, with Captain Gary Pugh leading by example and scrum-half Matthew Wallace having arguably his best game of the season. Both were narrowly beaten to the Hayneswood Engineering Ltd man of the match award by John Eady. North are desperately trying to persuade the classy fly-half to extend his career by another year, but the player’s performance was superb and it was fitting the man scored the winner in what could be the penultimate game of his illustrious career..

North were absolutely exhausted at the end of the game but their season was yet to end, with the title decider against Sale less than 72 hours away. .