Preston Grasshoppers vs. Sheffield Tigers– Kick Off 2.15pm
Preston Grasshoppers not only welcome Sheffield Tigers back to Lightfoot Green this coming Saturday but also congratulate them in their return to National 2 North after a couple of season’s sabbatical.
Our visitors have settled well into their newly appointed position and will offer another stern test for their hosts this weekend. The Tigers currently sit three places above Hoppers with an additional six points and two victories to their name whilst the hosts are in danger of being cut off from the thirteenth survival position with a third of the season already gone.
As Preston Grasshoppers returned home on the long journey from Herefordshire last Saturday they reflected on yet another narrow defeat in a game that was there for the taking at the start of the second period. Kicking off with just a three points deficit and a promising end to the first period it wasn’t to be as the home side took the initiative. Although only the upright prevented the visitors collecting a losing bonus point, the home side always looked likely to keep their lead and take the points.
Last Saturday not only saw Oga Mabaya make his 50th appearance for Preston Grasshoppers and Phil Mills taking the field for his one hundredth game in Hoppers colours, but Rob Bramhall opened his account with his first try for the club in a 1st XV jersey.
Back to this weekends game and our visitors from Dore Moor regained their Level 4 status at the end of last season after finishing Champions of National 3 North last term and were somewhat surprisingly relegated from this division back in 2014 after looking comfortable at this level for a couple of seasons.
The two clubs have met six times since the Yorkshire side elevated themselves to this level in the league pyramid with Hoppers winning three and our visitors the same number thanks to a victory at Lightfoot Green in their last appearance at this level back in 2004.
Photo courtesy of Mike Craig – Rob Bramhall feels the “Tiger Squeeze” while Billy Woof and Charles Hough look to feed on any scraps.
