A hat trick of tries from Adam Ryder set the seal on a hard-won 34-26 victory for Huddersfield YMCA at uncompromising Stockport.

And the result gives YM a much-needed boost before their National III North trip to high-riding Sheffield Tigers.

It didn’t look good for YM as, for the first 20 minutes, they were totally out-gunned by the commitment and slick passing of their hosts.

As early as the second minute Stockport were over the YM line through centre Simpson, with full-back Sackville-West adding the extras.

It was all Stockport and YM were frustrated, leading to Barber being yellow carded for going in at the Stockport scrum half too early at the back of the ruck.

The home side took advantage and quickly added to their tally after a nice break by winger Bowman and inside pass to scrum half Street, who went over for another converted try.

YM then settled, and a Simon Wilson penalty steadied the nerves.

The tables then turned as Ryder smashed his way through for his first try and, after Wilson had converted, he added a penalty to put YM within a point at 14-13 down.

As always there was a twist, with the YM fluffing the take from the kick-off allowing Stockport good possession and giving winger Bowman the opportunity to force his way over. Sackville-West made it 21-13 and it stayed that way to half time as YM missed a couple of line-out chances.

Stockport upped their efforts at the start of the second half and both Stuart Dyke and Josh Wrafter found themselves in the bin.

With a numerical advantage, Stockport went over through second row Waddington. The conversion was missed but it still looked as though YM were going to have an unproductive day.

YM rallied, however, and should have scored from a neat Barber kick to the corner which was knocked on by Stuart Morton when he seemed certain to score.

Undeterred, the YM were now in the right mood for the job.

The defence was tight and aggressive, in total contrast to the way they had started game, and Stockport were not finding life quite so easy.

Gavin Stead was cynically tripped by the home full-back when going in for a try but, despite the offender being shown a red card, the referee did not see fit to award a penalty try, which was somewhat puzzling.

Ryder made amends on the next attack by powering his way over the line and Wilson added the extra points to put the visitors back in it – only a converted score adrift and time left on the clock at 26-20.

Stockport missed a chance to increase their lead with a penalty before the YM stromed on the attack with their forwards pummelling the Stockport line.

The defence held for a while but the home side were clearly playing on the edge and some of their tactics were causing the referee concern.

Eventually, after numerous attempts at the line, the referee had seen enough to award the YM a penalty try after the home side had infringed once too often. Wilson added the extra points and for the first time in the match the YM had taken the lead, 27-26.

As the clocked ticked down the YM did a good job of maintaining possession and, for once, played sensible rugby to ensure they closed the game out.

They were aggressive in attack and tenacious in defence, forcing Stockport back towards their own line with some thumping tackles.

The pressure told as, once again, Ryder banged in a huge tackle on the Stockport ball carrier and, in doing so, knocked the ball from his grasp.

It promptly rolled over the try line and Ryder followed it up and got the simplest of touchdowns. Wilson added the extra points to complete the scoring and round off a fine win.

YMCA: Fletcher, Morton, Parfitt, Stead, Ryder, Barber, Wilson, Moore, Wrafter, Dyke, Housley, Seif, Hodge, Starbuck, Bell. Interchange: Emsley, Peet

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