Right from the kick-off, Rossendale showed their intent, scoring early and never looking back, while Stoke battled hard but couldn’t keep up with the relentless attack from the visitors.

First Half Action

Rossendale wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Just two minutes in, Toby Cole finished off a strong attack in the corner after the forwards had put pressure on Stoke inside their 22. Though the conversion was missed, it was clear Rossendale were here to play.

Stoke answered back quickly, with Shone slotting a penalty kick just three minutes later to make it 5-3. However, Rossendale quickly extended their lead. In the 7th minute, Land Prey powered over for a second try after a well-organized forward drive. Soon after, Maguire made a break and sent the ball wide to Toby Cole, who scored again—though the conversion was missed, Rossendale’s pace was starting to overwhelm Stoke.

The visitors continued their early blitz, and by the 9th minute, Zac Stephens scored after a fast break by Babarinsa down the touchline. A perfectly timed pass inside allowed Ben Stephens to finish, although yet another conversion went wide.

Things went from bad to worse for Stoke when John Tuia scored Rossendale’s fourth try in the 12th minute. Zane Ainslie made a great run-in midfield, and from the breakdown, Byron McGuigan launched an impressive cross-kick for Tuia to catch and score.

Stoke briefly fought back with a 20th-minute try by Gosling, converted by Shone, but Rossendale continued their domination. Terence Babarinsa scored a fantastic solo try in the 31st minute, dodging several tackles to dive under the posts. Zac Stephens converted this one, and just four minutes later, a break in midfield by Maguire and Ropeti set up Ainslie to score under the posts, with Zac Stephens converting again.

At halftime, Rossendale led comfortably 10-34.

Second Half Fightback

Stoke came out firing in the second half and were rewarded just two minutes after the restart when William Sant crossed the line, with Shone converting to make it 34-17. However, any thoughts of a comeback were quickly dashed when Zane Ainsley added another try for Rossendale in the 47th minute after a smooth backline move from a penalty scrum. Zac Stephens converted to stretch the lead.

Rossendale continued to press, and in the 59th minute, Zac Stephens scored following a smart quick tap penalty by Maguire in his own half who passed to McGuigan leading to a breakdown. From this the ball moved swiftly through the hands to allow Zac to score out wide. He converted his own try to make it 48-17.

Maguire got in on the act in the 63rd minute after a great break by Ropeti, who passed inside to Maguire to score. Ropeti added the extras. Just seven minutes later, Maguire scored again after McGuigan made an outside break and passed inside for Maguire to score under the posts. Ropeti again converted.

Stoke managed two late tries in the 75th and 79th minutes, both converted by Shone, but it was too late to close the gap.

Full-Time: Stoke 31-62 Rossendale

Rossendale's attack was unstoppable, with Gabriel Maguire leading the charge. His playmaking ability and two tries made him the standout player of the match. Stoke showed fight, but Rossendale’s speed and precision in attack proved too much to handle.

Match report by: Sophie Macintosh