As has been their customer this season, the Moorlanders fell behind early and had to play catch up rugby through the match. They conceded a try in the first couple of minutes and another ten minutes later, with a lone Will Midwinter penalty in response.

The hosts claimed their third midway through the half before Ollie Drew scored for the second successive game. Stockport claimed their bonus point try on 35 minutes, but the returning Jack Newton-Taylor pulled one back for the blue and whites to make the half-time score 26-17.

The home side scored another four tries in the second period, but Leek continued to compete and bagged two of their own - a penalty try and one from scoring machine Midwinter - to claim a bonus point, final score 52-34.

Leek were already safe after a recent strong run of results, but neighbours Stoke will need a major upset away at leaders Rossendale next time out if they are to have any hope of preserving their Regional 1 North West status following their narrow loss at home to Wirral.

Leek 3rd XV gave probably their best performance of the season with a 0-57 shutout win over Longton at Trentham Fields. The Moorlanders, reinforced with half a dozen 2nd XV players after their game was called off, scored five first half tries and another three after the break, despite Longton bringing on a host of first teamers in the second period.

Tom Grindey, Andy Thompson (2), Tom Laverick, Harry Byrne, Jack Bray, Tom Bourne and Anton Davidson scored the tries and Jack Winfield was his usual reliable self from the tee.

In the lunchtime kick off, Leek Colts beat Burton 19-28 in their Staffordshire Plate quarter final at Battlestead Croft, with tries from Oscar (2), Tom and Archie plus four successful kicks from Ollie.