The weather relented enough for both the Minis and Junior teams to enjoy some action over the weekend.
The under 7s hosted Tarleton who brought 1 team and played a round robin with 4 Hoppers teams. All the games were well contested with a number of highlights from each team. There were good tries for the home teams, with stand out tries from Jake Blackhurst, Thomas Porter (who talked the coaches through his try several times), Sorren Walton and Ellie Mortimer. Each week the players are Getting better and better!
The under 8s were due to play Tarleton at Hoppers but despite a good turn out from our boys there was no opposition to play! Undeterred the group had a cracking training session and the chocolate selection boxes handed out by the coaches at the end of the session were well earned. It has been fantastic to see the players develop throughout 2015 and the Coaches are all looking forward to a even better 2016.
The Under 13s were away at West Park in Round 5 of the Lancashire Cup and edged past the hosts 15-14. Hoppers took an early lead with a well worked try from the forwards driving up the pitch through multiple phases, drawing in the West Park defence, then nicely finished by the backs moving the ball wide to score in the corner. However, against the run of play and a couple of missed tackles, West Park managed to take the lead through a converted try under the posts. Early in the second half Hoppers scored a second try to take a 10-7 lead and continued to dominate territory and possession but unfortunately West Park intercepted in midfield and ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts to take 10-14 lead. Hoppers did well to keep their heads and continued to dominate in the forwards and move the ball wide in the backs and were rewarded with another try with about 10 minutes to go and managed to hang on to win 15-14 phew!
The Under 14s fielded two teams at home to Huddersfield and Tarleton. Hoppers lost 34-19 to Huddersfield, while the Fireflies won 54-14 against Tarleton.
The Under 15s lost away 20-7 to a Vale of Lune team undefeated this season, a poor start cost Hoppers dear going down to 2 early tries and a penalty. Hppers fought back with a well worked try only to concede a try again just before half time. A keenly fought second half was scoreless to leave the final score 20-7 to Vale.
The Under 16s came through a ‘must win’ Lancashire Cup game away at Manchester with a 31-19 win. Despite conceeding an early try, Hoppers showed excellent handling to run in 5 tries and defended well as a team at the end to keep Manchester at bay.
