Northwich 14 Stockport 5

12:00pm Thursday 13th March 2008

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NORTHWICH stunned Stockport to boost their survival hopes.

Their timing was perfect, swapping places with Vale of Lune to move out of the North Two West drop zone.

"The players have finally delivered a performance they have been capable of producing all season," was chairman Sam Naylor's verdict.

"Our intensity and purpose was too much for them."

Blacks thoroughly deserved their impressive victory against promotion contenders Stockport.

They were first out of the blocks, piling on the pressure from the outset as Aussie Gold Coast winger Stacey Hosking capped a dream start when he dived over in the bottom right hand corner after five minutes.

He then composed himself to convert from the touchline to prove his oft underestimated kicking ability.

Hosking came close to stretching their lead when a long range penalty fell just short.

But Paul Reid's men kept up the momentum and a powerful Rick Smith break and offload created space for Jonathan Simpson to score under the posts.

Hosking completed kicking duties once more to hand the hosts a 14-0 lead.

The visitors finally picked themselves up and stand off Tom Eaton began to look dangerous, setting up winger Greg Newton for a deserved try five minutes before the interval.

There was no further score in the game.

The second half was a war of attrition with each side giving as good as they got, defending resolutely, but as the battle wore on it was the hosts who looked the more dangerous against shellshocked Stockport.

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Star Man: Graham Robinson
Northwich: Cartman, Taylor, Gough (Davey 65), Heywood, Simpson, Pattenden, Miritana, Robinson, Davies, Dale, Hosking, Smith, Campbell, Chubb, Bown
Tries: Hosking, Simpson
Conversions: Hosking (2)