Preston Grasshoppers 19 Bradford & Bingley 21

9:59pm Sunday 9th March 2008

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For the second successive week Bradford & Bingley built up a 21-point lead in the first quarter but, whereas last time out Mowden Park overhauled them in the second half to win by three points, this time they just managed to hold out.

In appalling conditions, after a very much below par display in the first half and, one suspects, something of a roasting from the coach during the break, Hoppers re-emerged a different team but, despite a Herculean effort, just failed to pull off the win.

The Bees' pack set up a powerful rolling maul straight from kick off to propel lock Patrick Pole over and Tom Rhodes converted.

Hoppers retaliated and took a strike against the head but drives by the pack were met by stout defence.

When the visitors did break out another strong drive was stopped illegally for which Glyn Dewhurst was sin-binned on 13 minutes.

The Bees took full advantage of the extra man immediately as the pack drove over again, No.8 Jarryd Warren claiming the touchdown.

Worse was to follow three minutes later when full back Ben Greaves outpaced the defence to score at the posts.

Rhodes converted to give his side a 21-point margin and, although Hoppers started to get their act together and came close, there was no further scoring before the halftime whistle.

Hoppers showed much more determination after the restart but, despite a wealth of possession, rarely threatened.

At least the lineout, a weakness in the first half, began to function better and Mike Walker-Fitton made ground from a throw to the front to put his side on the attack.

Hoppers then camped on the line but it was not until the 59th minute that hooker Richie Sands was eventually driven over, Boshoff's conversion sailing just wide.

Despite the slippery ground, Olly Viney set off on a run and Cameron Berry punched a hole in midfield to keep the pressure on. Next replacement Danny Holland broke down the wing but the away backs' defence held firm.

It was back to Plan A to produce the next score as Sands was again driven over from a 5-meter lineout on 70 minutes and this time Boshoff's kick was good.

As the defence tired gaps began to appear and Darren Wilson took advantage to scamper down the touchline only to be bundled out of play in the corner.

Bees won the lineout but under pressure and Dewhurst charged down the attempted clearance and won the race for the touchdown.

Boshoff's kick reduced the margin to just two points with six minutes remaining.

Crucially, something had incurred the referee's displeasure and play restarted with a penalty to Bees from the centre spot.

So instead of regaining possession from the kick off, Hoppers found themselves defending a lineout on their own 22, giving their opponents the chance to hang on to the ball and wind down the clock to retain their slender lead.