SSE Yorkshire Division Three: Old Grovians 78 Stocksbridge 0

ONLY a freak of mathematics can prevent Old Grovians from winning their championship.

Their 78-0 victory against a side that had beaten them in south Yorkshire leaves them ten league points ahead of fellow promoted side Castleford with two matches left but Grovians have a points difference of plus 686 compared to plus 362.

The pace of the hosts was evident from the start and, after Stocksbridge were penalised for offside in the third minute, a tap was quickly taken and captain Chris Baines drove 20 yards down the middle before the ball was recycled for James Yates to dodge the full back and score in the corner.

Dom Copsey's conversion attempt stalled in the strong wind and, although hooker Matthew Worrall then looked to have grounded the ball cleanly, the referee pulled back play for an earlier infringement and centre Anthony Griffin put in Harry Garforth for a try, Copsey converting for 12-0.

Baines did score the third try, Copsey's conversion attempt hitting a post, and Griffin ensured the bonus point with the fourth try after running half the length of the pitch, Ben Brown's converting to make it 24-0.

Stocksbridge managed to keep play confined to midfield for the next 15 minutes before Griffin scored again, leaving the half-time score at 31-0.

Old Grovians maintained their potent mix of big hits, particularly from Joe Sowden, and exceptional handling, and although Stocksbridge held out for 20 minutes, once they had conceded the floodgates opened.

Baines went in for the first try of the second half after lurking on the wing, and Joe Laurence was the next to cross, having been held up minutes earlier when he carried three Stocksbridge players over the line with him.

Jaskaran Deu then created a try for Brown, Yates bagged his second and Griffin his third after a trademark zig-zag run.

The try-scoring was finished off by the industrious Daniel Radigan and winger Aaron Magee, Brown landing six second-half conversions.