In the edition published May 27th, The Rugby Paper contained an article nominating the SSE National League 2 North Team of the Year based on a poll of rugby correspondents around the country who cover the matches.
Hoppers have three entries – more than any other club:
“It is in fact Hoppers who made a fantastic late-season charge, who have the highest representation, including try-scoring No.8 Dominic Moon who saw off strong competition at the back of the pack.”
The entries are as follows:
No.9 Nathan Fowles
“A player from the Sale Academy, Fowles saw off a lot of competition to make our team at the age of 19. A livewire at the back of the scrum, Fowles is lightning quick and set for a big future. Students’ scrum half Russell Weir just missed out on this one, but the combination of Moon and Fowles was too good to ignore.”
Nathan Fowles
No.3 Richard Morton
“The first of the Hoppers players to make the team, Morton gets in for shoring up a Preston pack that saw off all-comers in the second half of the season. A real hard hitter, Morton just edges out the Students’ Harry Williams.”
Rich Morton
No.8 Dominic Moon
“Nick Sharpe’s try-scoring record was impressive but it was nothing compared to Moon who grabbed 21 tries in a stellar year. Otley, in particular, will remember after he grabbed seven in a 90-5 drubbing last month. Moon is a powerful ball carrier and virtually impossible to stop from close range, as countless opponents discovered. Students’ Fred Silcock and Lucs’ Paul Hulland also had impressive seasons.”
Dominic Moon
The full line up is below.
15 Collins (Leicester Lions)
14. Broadley (Sheffield Tigers)
13. Roberts (Caldy)
12. Banks (Westoe)
11. Holland (Loughborough Students)
10. Johnson (Huddersfield)
9. Fowles (Preston Grasshoppers)
1. Nesbitt (Westoe)
2. Cruse (Stockport)
3. Morton (Preston Grasshoppers)
4. Davidson (Luctonians)
5. P.Murphy (Hull)
6. Sharpe (Huddersfield)
7. Robinson (Loughborough Students)
8. Moon (Preston Grasshoppers)
