Carnival Atmosphere At Hoppers' 40th Year Anniversary

It was a warm and sunny day at Lightfoot Green - the home ground of Preston Grasshoppers for the last forty years. The club rooms were filled to the brim with diners, drinkers and rugby fans; all anticipating a great clash between two northern giants in National 2 North.

The visitors came into the game favourites after their heroics in week, with a comprehensive 36-0 win over Caldy. However, at full time, large crowds gathered outside the club house to celebrate a Hoppers victory and a fantastic way to continue their 40th anniversary.

The two teams were very evenly matched but it was two magical runs from deep by Hoppers fullback, Sean Taylor, which resulted in two tries, and, ultimately, the difference between the two teams. Taylor was the game’s standout player before he limped off with an ankle injury.

The early exchanges were evenly matched with penalties from Allen and Collins making it 3-3 at the 15 minute mark. Scums were very even in the first half with one exception, when Hoppers Mo Mustafa totally out powered Ben Black.

It was from a very solid Hoppers scrum that the ball went wide for an Antony Elliott try in the corner. What followed was Sedgley's forwards powering their way into the corners and using their highly effective lineout.

This game plan will have pleased the Sedgley coaches and immediately led to a second Collins penalty.

Sedgley forwards again used their lineout well in defence but an aimless kick from hands by a Sedgley winger allowed Taylor to collect the ball and start a weaving run from his own 22, before the ball was put over the line by the lively Aikman. This was quite excellent counter attacking rugby by Hoppers.

The ten minutes before half time saw excellent forward play from the Sedgley pack that was to result in two tries for Hooker Jonny Matthews. Hoppers had no answer to this style of play, losing a second row to the sin bin in the process.

This passage of play took Sedgley into the half time break 21-15 in the lead.

The first five minutes of the second half saw Sedgley use their forwards well but soon after some Sedgley replacements, it was a solo effort from Taylor to score under the posts. This try changed the game with Hoppers commitment to the cause visibly growing.

This renewed confidence saw the Hoppers scrum put intense pressure on the set piece for the first time in the game. Tackles were now being broken by the Hoppers centres and this was to result in a final try for Mustafa under the posts.

A great afternoon and both teams should have high expectations for the National 2 season ahead.

Sedgley looked to lack pace in their back 3 and bounced off too many tackles. Hoppers showed good counter attacking skills but their line out needs attention.

In the battle of ex-Tarleton Rugby players, the stand out was Sean Taylor. However, the battle of the old Huttonians was shaded by Max Ashcroft.