Stockport returned to the top of the table with a 5 try victory over visitors Rossendale. While Stockport added a bonus point to their win points, Morley were beaten at Birkenhead Park effectively losing the benefit of their game in hand as Stockport are now 5 points clear.
Rossendale had the best of the first 20 minutes as Stockport were kept in their own half and conceded a penalty to go 3 points down. From the restart Stockport got a penalty and drove over at the subsequent line out for a try from their first visit to the Rossendale half, Bebbington converted. After a penalty for pulling down a well organised Stockport drive the lineout went wrong and Rossendale hacked the loose ball up to halfway. Cooper picked up and beat a man before passing to Pearson, who gathered his own kick ahead to score; there was a second conversion for a 14-3 lead. Marwick stole a Rossendale lineout and Cruse took the ball and ran through all the defenders to score, with Babington’s conversion making it 21-3 at half time.
The second half started well for the home side, with a try for Ralph after good movement by the backs, and quick recycling by the forwards, Newton drew the defender and put Ralph through with a short pass. Bebbington added the conversion with the try bonus point secured. But Stockport then seemed to relax and Rossendale had a good quarter, creating pressure and scoring 3 tries, two converted to get right back into the game at 22-28. With 8 minutes left Stockport made certain of victory with a second Steve Pearson try, after Ralph drove and Marwick recycled for Cooper to make a fast break to create the run in for Pearson and a 33-22 victory.