Whilst the chill of winter hasn’t yet bitten the north-west a quite savage injury list has taken a hefty chunk out of the senior squad at Lightfoot Green. Therefore it is quite remarkable that the second team can take such a strong side to champions Macclesfield on Saturday afternoon.
Hoppers are unbeaten since January, but this weekend sees them face the last team to beat them. Whilst it may have been eleven months ago Young and his men bitterly remember the Cheshire side’s last gasp victory at Lightfoot Green. Hoppers won in the Spring at Priory Lane but the defeat eventually proved crucial in the destination of the Bateman Premier League Crown.
Preston won again in the Autumn, playing some of their best rugby in a 31-8 victory so will take immense heart as they travel south on Saturday morning.
Given the chronic injury list, particularly in the front row, half back and centre positions there are a number of changes from last weeks squad. Young has though been boosted by the return of Perry, Warlock, Farley and Yates.
As the first team are also down in Cheshire the sides share the bus and convene at Lightfoot Green for 11.00am. Young’s men kick off at 2.15 and the squad in full is as follows:
Jackson, Wilkinson, Young, Banks, Perry, Warlock, Wallace, Parker, Moulding, Whyte, Kendall, Farley, Hurst, Marshall, Yates
Reps: Proctor, Tuff, Truman.
@JY75 @Jebbster1975
