Stockport Independent Issue 197

DECEMBER 2025 24 Independent LOCAL SPORT STOCKPORT fell to a nar- row 31-39 home defeat at the hands of Bowdon in their Regional 1 North West clash. Despite that setback at Timperley, they sit fourth in the table with 30 pints from their nine games in a cam- paign which has brought six wins so far. Three of Stockport’s Sen- ior Colts were selected for Cheshire. Charlie Chadwick, Ted Ginivan and Roman Deans were called up for the game against Cumbria which Cheshire won 26-10. Macclesfield’s strong cam- paign inNational League Two North continues to impress. Priory Park witnessed its most thrilling contest of the season as Macclesfield edged a breathless 39–38 victory over Tynedale, a match in which the lead changed six times and neither side man- aged to gain more than a nine-point advantage. With both teams produc- ing six tries apiece and the scrums evenly matched throughout, it was a contest worthy of two sides who were locked on eight wins and two defeats in the top four. Macclesfield went on to record a commanding 15-34 away win at Wharfdale which saw them in third place in the table. Speaking after the game to the club’s official website, Matt Coleridge,director of rugby, said: “We didn’t get it all our own way, especially at scrum time, but overall, the pack played really well, the lineout was firing, and the lads were composed in defence despite the penalty count. Conceding only three points in the second half was excellent.” The performance also underlined a remarkable statistic: Macclesfield are currently the leading points scorers across all National League divisions, having now amassed 471 points. Individually, Harry Oliver is the leading points scorer in the National Leagues, his tally now standing at 146 points, reflecting his consist- ency, accuracy and influence in the squad. Meanwhile, in North- ern Division – Regional 2 North West, Sandbach’s winning run came to an end with a 20-7 defeat at North Ribblesdale. Despite that setback in North Yorkshire, which saw the five-game winning streak ended, ‘Bach held on to top spot in the table. The North Yorkshire side have only lost one home league game in two sea- sons, so the task was always going to be a challenge for the visitors. Sandbach’s Ryan Arun- dale represented the Eng- lish Fire Service against the Welsh Fire Service at StoneX Stadium, home of Saracens. Ryan started at lock and helped England to a narrow 33-28 victory over their rivals. Ryan had played for Sand- bach’s 1st XV on the Satur- day prior to linking up with the English Fire Service. He scored a try and was named player of the match in an emphatic win over West Park (St Helens). Ryan has played eight COUNTY boss Dave Challinor was named as the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for October, after guiding his side to the top of the table. He led The Hatters to four wins from four in LeagueOne – the only team in the division to boast a 100 per cent record thatmonth. That sequence began with a hard- fought 2-1 win away at promotion rivals Huddersfield Town, with County emerg- ing victorious despite being reduced to tenmen early in the second half. That was followed by successive 1-0 home wins against Blackpool and Exeter City, before rounding off the month with a3-0victoryat PortVale live–a result that sent County top of the league. It’s the fifth time that Challinor has won an EFLManager of theMonth award during his time at Edgeley Park, and the first time he has won the award in the third tier. The 50-year-old is currently aiming to become the first manager in club history to guide County to three promo- tions, having won the National League and League Two title in his four years at Edgeley Park. Challinortoldtheclub’sofficialwebsite: “It’s brilliant to receive recognition for the brilliant month that we’ve had as a club, with four wins from four in the league. “This award is very much a collective reward, with large amounts of credit and thanks going to the players and staff throughout the club who work so hard behind the scenes. “On behalf of myself, I want to say a hugewell done to everyone involved.” STOCKPORT County have signed highly experienced defender Jack Hunt on a short- term contract. The 34-year-old right-back, who has been without a club since leaving Bristol Rovers in the summer, has agreed a deal at Edgeley Park until January. Hunt brings a wealth of experience to the squad, having won promotion from League One twice with Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town, as well as playing more than 250 games in the Championship. He began his playing career at Huddersfield, hav- ing joined the Yorkshire outfit at the age of nine and progressing through their academy system. Following successful loan spells with Grays Athletic and Chesterfield, he made his Terriers debut in January 2011 and was named in the 2011/12 League One Team of the Year as Town secured promotion to the Champion- ship via the play-offs. He featured in 40 of Huddersfield’s 46 league games the following season, earning a £2million move to Premier League side Crys- tal Palace. A broken ankle early in his time at Selhurst Park limited his impact at Palace, but he went on to enjoy positive loan spells back in the Champion- ship with Barnsley, Notting- ham Forest and Rotherham United – helping the Mill- ers avoid relegation back to League One. Hunt’s next loan spell saw him move to Sheffield Wednesday in 2015, impress- ing sufficiently for the club to make the move permanent in January. He played a key role in the Owls’ run to the Cham- pionship Play-Off Final that season, narrowly losing 1–0 to Hull City at Wembley. He joined fellow Champi- onship Bristol City in 2018, spending three years at Ashton Gate before return- ing to Sheffield Wednesday, who had since been relegated down to League One. Wednesday went on to beat Barnsley in extra time at County’s player Hunt is over Hatters sign experienced defender on short-term deal New arrival: Jack Hunt (Photo credit: SCFC) A close affair Tough task: Sandbach’s winning streak came to an end in North Yorkshire (Picture credit: Andy Mitchell) LOCAL RUGBY ROUND-UP times this season for Sand- bach and has scored two tries, helping to power them to the top of the table. Sandbach’s director of rugby Andrew Bird said: “Congratulations to Ryan on representing the English Fire Service and helping secure a hard- fought victory over Wales. “Since moving to the area and joining the club, Ryan has bought into the club ethos and is a great asset on and off the pitch.” Wembley to earn promotion back to the Championship. Since leaving Wednesday that summer, the veteran spent two years playing in League One with Bristol Rov- ers. He made his exit in the close season following their relegation to League Two. A perfect month!