Stockport have won just once this season, but in recent weeks against Hull Ionians and last weekend against Hull, they have shown real spirit proving that they will not let their levels of performance slip just because they are relegated.

Graham said: “I feel we have showed all year that we can more than compete in this league but we just haven’t been clinical.

“I think with us now being relegated we can afford to play more freely and attack teams and play our style of rugby which I see as a positive.

“It has been a tough year after the success of last year, but there is still a good spirit with the guys and I can tell that next year we will get back on track.”

Stockport lost 27-21 to Hull on Saturday and came away from Yorkshire feeling like they deserved more from the game.

Graham added: “My reaction to the performance [On Saturday] was mixed.

“We had moments in the game where we dominated and deserved to score more points than we got, then in other parts mental breakdowns and poor judgement cost us at key moments.”

The Red, Green and Whites take on eighth placed Harrogate this weekend in a rearranged fixture as the original game was postponed in January due to a frozen pitch.

Port have picked up 11 of their 12 points at home this season and will be hoping Harrogate’s poor run of form could be used as advantage for them.

The visitors have lost their last five matches after a seven game winning streak and are in desperate need of the points if they want to finish in the top three this season.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the year, Harrogate ran out 59-14 winners against an injury hit Stockport side which saw three forwards start in the backs and saw Graham ( who is predominately in the front row) come on as a winger.

“I see myself as a faster forward but being put on the wing wasn't a highlight of the season!” said Graham.

“Last time at Harrogate we didn't do ourselves justice with our performance especially in the first half.

“On Saturday I see us competing a lot more with them like the Hull Ionians game and we aren't going to give them the easy game that they may expect from a relegated side.

“We have too much pride especially at home to not perform.”

The kick-off at time at on Saturday Headlands Road is still yet to be confirmed, but will be announced before Friday morning.

Click here to get all the latest 1st XV news including a look back to Saturday’s defeat to Hull and interviews with Coach Matthew Bebbington and Graham’s team-mate Andy Broadhurst.