Stockport 21-68 Vale of Lune

This was Vale’s first outright promotion since the 2002/03 season when they topped North Two West; in the 2008/09 season they were promoted from North Lancashire/Cumbria 1 after winning a playoff game.

Vale were odds on favourites for promotion but their task was made much easier when St Benedicts were forced to withdraw from North Two West and all their results were struck from the record.

Leading point’s scorer, Damon Hall, ran in the first of his three tries in the first minute which he converted followed by one from winger Olly Jacques two minutes later which Hall converted from wide out.

Stockport’s powerful forwards engineered a try for flanker Kieran Hibbs, converted by stand off Liam McGovern in the tenth minute but a swift Vale counter attack in the 13th minute ended with Hall slotting over a penalty goal.

A powerful surge from a Stockport line out ended with winger Gareth Johnson forcing his way over for a try again converted by McGovern in the 16th minute.

Jacques collected his second try when he broke clear from a ruck, Hall kicked the conversion in the 22nd minute of what had been an action packed opening quarter.

As the half drew to a close Hall kicked a penalty with six minutes remaining.

There was a flurry of activity in stoppage time with a third Stockport try from Will Hirstwood converted by McGovern which was quickly followed by an unconverted Vale try scored by winger Jordan Dorrington.

In the opening minute of the second half wing forward Jack Sadler completed a swift passing move with a try which Hall converted.

Seven minutes later Jordan Dorrington pounced on a loose ball to sprint 55 metres for an unconverted try.

Another Vale counter attack involved Hall kicking ahead, collecting the ball for a 55th minute try which he converted.

Jacques posted a deserved hat trick with an unconverted try in the57th minute.

The home side searched for a way through a well organised Vale defence but from a period of pressure Jordan Dorrington made a break from deep in his own half but unselfishly passed the ball to Hall for the full back to claim a hat-trick, Hall added the conversion in the 68th minute.

Sadler completed the scoring for the Vale in the 73rd minute with an unconverted try.