They say week is a long time in politics but a week in rugby saw a seismic shift in attitude and application from a much changed Port side from the one that faced Kendal 7 days earlier.

The key change though was the forced return of skipper Rory Austin who missed the previous weeks encounter after being on the operating table after a badly broken nose brought his season to what was supposed to be a premature end.
Without a recognised 9 in sight (you dont count Eats) the club went cap in hand to the skipper and begged him to play.

The physio said NO, the Doctor said NO and his mum even said "you're a dickhead" but Head coach Tom Eatons Grade C in Biology made all the difference as he told him he thought his nose looked great and so the skipper led his team on to the field.

After the withdrawal from the group of Alnwick & Blaydon the Cup tie became a winner takes all contest with the winner progressing to the semi final and the loser bringing the curtain down on their season.

The game commenced on a very heavy pitch with Port playing into the strong wind.

Stockport were in their usual colours however the home side were in a pink and blue Harlequin affair that looked like someone had lost a bet.

On 3 minutes the home side took the lead with a converted try after a driving lineout saw the ball shipped through the entire back line for an excellent converted score in the corner.

5 minutes later Port opened their account after a solid scrum close to the Kendal line saw fullback Calum Owen cut inside 2 defenders to score a good try with the conversion drifting to the right of the post.

On 30 mins Port took the lead after more good work from the fowards at the scrum allowed the skipper to dart over from close range. 7-10. The half was brought to a close with the home side regaining the lead after a powerful surge broke through the Port defence, whilst the try was good the conversion was even better in the conditions. Half time 14-10.

With Port now playing with the howing wind behind them they made good use of the conditions as they penned the home side back in to their 22 for extended periods. The strength of the Port scrum was again the platform that allowed Skipper Austin to snipe over for a carbon copy of his earler score with centre Cameron Hertz converting from close to the posts 14-17.

The game was now in the melting pot but it was to be Stockports day after a good scrum close to the Kendal line saw the ball moved wide which was intercepted by the home winger who started his length of the pitch journey to put the game to bed only for him to be called back by the referee who had already signalled scrum penalty before the ball was released much to the relief of the Stockport players.

A further 2 scrums ensued and with the Port pack in full ascendancy back row Tom Metcalfe touched down to send Stockport in to the semi final. A great result from a patched up Port who lost centre Morgan Mohring and wing Rory Atwill early in the game. Dr Eaton has already declared them fit for the semi final though.

Man of the match for Port was a forgone conclusion from the second he got on the bus but make no mistake this was a solid team performance across the squad and full credit to the front 5 for providing the platform for the win from the scrum.

Last but not least, big thanks to the Kendal President and supporters who looked after the Port lads and small band of alicadoos wonderfully. Apparently it was a career best in Jugs supplied by a home side post match.
The Port bus finally limped into Headlands Road 2 hours later than scheduled but all in the spirit of the game.