Rampant Stockport score 13 tries in final league fixture to secure playoff place

Stockport beat visitors Rossendale by 79-7 with a scintillating display of fast running rugby. The continuity, good handling from 1 to 15 and support running were all excellent, preventing Rossendale from getting into the game, apart from one converted try. A try bonus point was secured after only 17 minutes and good running and passing resulted in a further 4 tries in the second quarter and 5 more in the second half. with Josh Longmore converting 7 of the 13 tries this was a convincing a victory over the side which had beaten Stockport in the first game of the season. Joe Cantwell and Dan Eccles both got 3 tries and Will Batterby 2.

Stockport were on the scoreboard after only 3 minutes as Josh Longmore scored and converted a try resulting from good continuity and passing from the kick off. A well placed kick ahead by Jamie Anthony gave wing Will Batterbury an easy run in and minutes later Joe Cantwell got the first of his 3 tries after Paul Millea ran the kick off back into Rossendale territory and gave the wing a scoring pass. The bonus point try came on 17 minutes as skipper Andy Fuller ran in after a good drive from a line out. Cantwell added his second after a break by Alistair Green, before Rossendale replied with their only score of the game after a good period of pressure gave their second row a try at the Stockport posts and the conversion made it 31-7. in the last 6 minutes of the half Stockport added tries by Dan Eccles from a line out drive, Will Batterbury after great support running and a line break by Mike Waddington and Callum Baldwin after yet another line out drive to make it 50-7 at the break.

Eccles scored 12 minutes after the restart, before Rossendale had a period of real pressure but the Stockport defence was determined not to concede again. A penalty on their own 5 metre line was tapped and Stockport ran the full length of the field, with centre Jamie Anthony carrying to half way and Cantwell getting his third with the run in. Despite a yellow card for Longmore, Stockport continued to play with flair and a try came for Chris Roddy after another move from the Stockport 22 carried play to the Rossendale line. Eccles added his third before Millea scored in the final minute to complete the rout.

A playoff match at home on 26 April against Sutton Coldfield will decide if Stockport gain promotion to National 2 North next season.