Rugby Reports

Preston Grasshoppers 59-8 Widnes With promotion to the fourth tier of National Rugby already secured, Hoppers rounded-off their successful season with a dominant win over a tough Widnes side to lift the John Burgess Lancashire Cup at Wigan’s Douglas Valley ground. The fixture had been delayed beyond the end of the playing season and the […]

Hoppers Junior Colts 0-24 Rochdale Junior Colts The Game A squad of 21 players travelled to Fleetwood for the U17s Lancashire Cup Final against Rochdale. Weather conditions were good, sunny and breezy. Rochdale won possession from the kick off and progressed forward but were met by forceful defence from Hoppers and after 2 or 3 […]

Northwich 3-81 Preston Grasshoppers Hoppers travelled to Cheshire for their last league game of the season, to face bottom of the table Northwich, secure in the knowledge that they were already promoted to the National League. Conditions were bright and warm in the sunshine, although the cool wind, whipping up a dust storm from the […]

JOHN BURGESS LANCASHIRE CUP – SEMI-FINAL BLACKBURN 31-31 PRESTON GRASSHOPPERS Hoppers’ Head Coach Paul Arnold heaved a sigh of relief after this pulsating contest: ‘That was a tough match that could have gone either way and, in a way, we were a bit fortunate. Blackburn are a good side and we were suckered into playing […]

Alnwick 12-33 Preston Grasshoppers The long trip to Alnwick was arguably Hoppers’ most important remaining game since a victory would keep promotion hopes alive and avenge their only home defeat of this campaign. But Alnwick were intent on achieving the double and play in the initial 10 minutes was all in Hoppers’ half and only […]

Preston Grasshoppers 61 – 0 Wirral After a weekend off for the lads it was great to see them run out to take on Wirral in front of a good crowd, in bright, warm, early Spring weather. The previous encounter at the Memorial Ground had been a dour, slog of a game in arctic conditions, […]

Rossendale 0 – 67 Preston Grasshoppers Hoppers travelled to Rossendale where they chalked up their fifth ‘victory to nil’ of the season as they continued their quest for promotion. Eleven tries, along with six conversions, sealed the win against a Rossendale side who, having been beaten by just twenty points in the previous encounter at […]

Preston Grasshoppers 99-0 Kirkby Lonsdale After the satisfying win last week against Otley, Head Coach Paul Arnold decided to rest one or two of the squad and give opportunities to some young players who had shown their worth in the 2nd XV. Baille Leatham took the number one position for his first start after being […]

Preston Grasshoppers 27- 12 Otley The weather was just about perfect for rugby. A bright, cool afternoon with a little breeze set the scene for the eagerly-awaited, top-of-the-table clash with Otley. The visitors had put together an impressive season, occupying the top spot for most of it since our visit to Cross Green in September […]

Lymm 36-41 Preston Grasshoppers Hoppers made the short trip to Lymm knowing they would not be facing the team they had laid so low back in October. Since then the Cheshire side had moved up the table and recorded a run of six straight wins until their encounter with league leaders, Otley last week. Despite […]