Sheffield Tigers vs. Preston Grasshoppers – Kick Off 3pm
Team News
Michael Lough’s selections for the trip to Yorkshire this Saturday shows three changes from last weeks starting line-up.
With Sean Long on Salford City Reds duties, Adam Birchall picking up an injury and Wayne Steel unavailable, Lewis Allen steps in to replace Sean Long. Ally Murray moves into the second row with Will Keenan taking his place in the back row and last season’s seventeen try scorer Matt Hughes moving up from the bench into his familiar position on the wing.
1. Andy Irving, 2. Alan Holmes, 3. Richard Morton, 4. Gareth Gore, 5. Ally Murray, 6. Will Keenan, 7. Killian Wallace, 8. Dominic Moon, Captain. 9. Josh Purnell, 10. Lewis Allen, 11. Matt Hughes, 12. Jack Ward, 13. Karl Fitzpatrick, 14. Phil Baines,15. Sean Taylor.
Replacements: 16. Phil Mills, 17. Daniel Fletcher, 18. Dan Madden, 19. Matt Gargett 20. Sam Kindred.
Preview
Hoppers make only their second ever visit to Dore Moor next Saturday where they will be hoping for a repeat of the victory over Sheffield Tigers on their home ground early last season. The visitors to Dore Moor will be buoyant after last weeks impressive show against one of the league’s new comers Darlington Mowden Park, whilst the Yorkshire side will be disappointed with the outcome of their visit to Humberside, when after taking an early lead there impressive start fizzled out and they succumbed to the Ionians in the last play of the game.
Sean Taylor makes a charge for the line last Saturday as the Hoppers faithful watch on
The Tigers made a successful transition from Level 5 rugby last season finishing mid table and after Hoppers victory over in Yorkshire, the Sheffield outfit gained suitable revenge with an impressive display at Lightfoot Green running out winners by thirty one points to twenty one.
Wayne Steel on the charge last January against the Tigers
Hoppers supporters will no doubt recall a memorable trip to Sheffield back in 2005 when a fifty points to seven victory on one of the Abbeydale back pitches over the then senior team in Sheffield, gave Preston Grasshoppers the North 1 Champions title.
‘Tigers’ have proudly taken over the mantle of ‘Senior Club’ in the area in recent years and will be keen to hang onto in.
For those supporters not travelling to watch the Firsts, there’s a selection games being played at Lightfoot Green, why not come along and take a look. The Seconds will be hoping to register another victory after defeating National 1 Sedgley Park’s second string last weekend.
Hoppers 2nds vs. Burnage 2
Hoppers 5ths vs. BAE Warton 1
Hoppers 6ths vs. Leigh 4
All games kick off at 3pm.
The First XV’s next home game on the 15th of September will see them entertain Hull Ionians.
Link to ground directions if you are travelling by car to Sheffield: http://www.sheffieldtigers.co.uk/html/directions.html
Photographs courtesy of Michael Craig
