Good Friday saw Preston Grasshoppers retain the Brendan Hanavan Trophy after a 17-17 draw against Fylde at the Woodlands. As current holders, a draw was enough to retain the trophy in terrible conditions at Fylde.
The Brendan Hanavan Trophy sat behind the bar at Lightfoot Green
Both clubs named mixed sides which featured former 1st XV players, young upcoming Colts as well as current 1st, 2nd and 3rd teamers.
Hoppers got to grips with the conditions much better than their hosts and some slick handling and powerful carrying led to tries from Jacob Browne, Cameron Berry and Niall Crossley. Mark Evans got Fylde on the score sheet to keep Fylde in touch with the half time score 17-5 to Hoppers.
Fylde opted for much more of a tight game in the second half with their powerful and experienced front row dominating proceedings. Loney and Spragg both crossed the whitewash to draw the scores level at 17-17 with 5 minutes remaining on the clock.
Late in the game an unsavoury incident involving stamping resulted in a red card for the Fylde loose head prop. This gave 3rd XV skipper Tom Peterson the opportunity to win the game with a penalty but his 45m effort drifted just wide. Hoppers were not done and a late surge nearly resulted in a fantastic team try but it wasn’t to be.
A 17-17 draw means Hoppers retain the Brendan Hanavan Trophy. Hoppers will host Fylde on Good Friday 2016 in the 3rd staging of the match since it’s inception last season.
