Report by Mike Atkinson:

Despite an excellent first half Stockport were unable to sustain their effort and Rossendale ran out 10-31 winners with 3 late tries to make the scoreline look more uneven than the game was for the first 60 minutes. There were many positives for the home side, in particular the scrum power in the first half, which had Rossendale going backwards on several occasions. There was some well organised and aggressive defence and some very good running, with Simon Green, Tom Eaton and Rory Austin all making good breaks and two tries from fullback Callum Owen after good passing movements.

Stockport had the better of the early exchanges but with both sides making early season handling errors opportunities were missed. Stockport created chances and wing Matt Blackman was forced into touch just short of the line. A powerful Stockport scrum made a chance for Austin to make a powerful run, he was stopped just short of the line but the ball was moved to the right and Owen touched down The strong cross wind made the conversion difficult but Stockport were 5-0 up. Green stole a Rossendale line out and his run and a good passing move created another try for Owen and Stockport had a 10-0 lead at half time.

With both teams making changes for the second half it was the visitors that took the upper hand, despite an excellent break by Eaton, strong scrummaging and a great effort by the Stockport pack that was held up over the Rossendale line. A good passing movement by the visitors gave them a converted try after 15 minutes of the half. More strong running from the kick off resulted in another converted try to take the visitors into the lead 10-14. The visitors dominated the last quarter, adding two more unconverted tries and one that was converted to give a final score of 10-31.

There is another friendly next Friday before the League seasons starts with a home game against Penrith on 4 September.