Preston Grasshoppers 17, Leicester Lions 14

7:08pm Saturday 29th March 2008

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Hoppers dispelled any lingering doubts of freak results putting them in the relegation places with this hard-fought win over play-off hopefuls Leicester Lions.

In easily their best defensive display of the season the home side weathered a last minute siege to claim the points in a game where both teams tried to play some expansive rugby in adverse conditions.

Hoppers started well, Mike Walker-Fitton pinching the first lineout and controlled possession for the first ten minutes during which Gerhard Boshoff was off target with a penalty attempt.

In heavy rain, the play was scrappy, but when Lions tried to run the ball they were met with solid defence in the centre, both Cameron Berry and Michael Briggs making some big hits.

The deadlock was at last broken in the 29th minute when away fly half Jon Boden kicked a penalty, adding another five minutes later.

As half time loomed, Hoppers' pack mounted a strong attack and Lions flanker Marc Howgate received a yellow card for killing the ball.

Further drives for the line sucked in the defence and when the ball was released Boshoff touched down at the posts and converted to give his side a one point advantage at the break.

Hoppers were soon back on the attack with Boshoff putting in some testing kicks and in the 45th minute Michael Jones stole a five-metre lineout to set up a maul from which Wayne Steel was driven over, Boshoff converting.

From the restart some careless play gifted Boden another three points to narrow the gap and the fly-half then put in a shrewd grubber kick for wing Tony Lintern to touchdown in the corner to level the scores a t 14-all.

With the rain ceasing, conditions eased slightly and both sides raised the tempo but defences were on top while the referee awarded a series of penalties against Hoppers which kept play in the home half.

On 65 minutes, a rare penalty to the home side allowed them to clear their lines and Boshoff took advantage of a second offence to put his side three points ahead.

As full time approached, Lions spurned two kickable penalties in an attempt to go for the win and keep their slim chances of a play-off place alive but sterling defence by Hoppers kept them at bay to record an important win, their first at home in the league since late November.

Hoppers have game next week, but have a testing trip to champions Tynedale the following week.