Halifax 13 Preston Grasshoppers 24 (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)

Halifax 13 Preston Grasshoppers 24

10:13am Monday 8th September 2008

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Preston Grasshoppers, with six players making their debuts in the squad, returned across the Pennines with a maximum fvie point-haul, scoring four tries to one.

But the score hardly reflects Hoppers’ domination against an ill-disciplined Halifax, relegated from National Two at the end of last season.

The visitors shaded the opening exchanges but repeatedly failed to stay on their feet at the tackle, conceding a penalty in the first minute.

It was soon obvious that Hoppers lacked an established place-kicker and, after Martin Gambles had missed a relatively easy penalty, they opted to use the touchline.

Hoppers’ lighter, more mobile pack started to get the upper hand while the new backs line-up linked well and were solid in defence.

On 28 minutes after a strong forward drive with Andrew Dockray, Richie Sands and John Peterson all making inroads, the pressure told and Darren Wilson wriggled over in the corner. Gambles’ kick failed but Hoppers had a narrow 5-3 win at the break.

Hoppers again infringed at the tackle at the start of the second period conceding a further three points which also brought a yellow card for Wayne Steel.

A man short, the visitors’ pack held their own but on 55 minutes Richard Carleton swapped places with Steel for an offside offence, prop Leyton Taylor making his debut off the bench.

Halifax now took advantage fly half Barker breaking through and touching down for a converted try to put his side 13-5 up after 56 minutes.

This seemed to spur Hoppers on and the next five minutes proved decisive.

First a strong forward drive produced a try for Taylor and, when the re-start went out on the full, No.8 Dockray picked up from the scrum and brushed off the defence to make ground down the middle before putting Gambles in at the posts, debutant replacement Nick Smith kicking the conversion to give Hoppers a 17-13 lead.

The home side then lost discipline and a red and yellow card reduced them to 13 men and Hoppers made the most of it rounding off a highly promising display with a bonus point try from John Peterson. Ollie Moore, who gave an impressive performance in the centre, kicked the conversion to seal the win.

Hoppers face more White Rose opposition on Saturday when they host Harrogate, kick off 3pm.

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