LSH 2nds 0 v 40 Hoppers 2nds
Coach Michael Lough put the disappointment of the Wallabies’ defeat to Ireland behind him as his young team clinically dispatched a committed but limited LSH side.
Hoppers consolidated their position at the top of the Bateman Premier League with a six try victory and a second successive clean sheet.
Killian Wallace opened the scoring after five minutes and the young open-side went on to play an impressive part in his side’s victory. Next to score was fellow flanker Jack Walker after some good interplay and off-loading which had also typified last week’s win against Caldy.
Scrum-half Tom Smith added to Hopper’s tally after some impressive work by Ali Austin who was later named as man of the match by Lough. Hoppers continued to try and play their rugby although they were hampered by some pedantic refereeing and the home side’s best efforts to disrupt the continuity and style of play.
Mark Edwards, whose personal tally was 15 points, added the fourth try of the afternoon whilst Hoppers continued to repel their hosts best efforts. This was typified by Cameron Berry’s turnover when LSH lay siege to the Hoppers line.
Hoppers added a further two tries from Josh Keay and Ally Murray whose fine form continued. Next week we welcome Altrincham Kersal to Lightfoot Green when Hoppers will hope to maintain the encouraging start they’ve made to the season.
In the coming weeks the second team will welcome a number of players back to the fold including Chadwick, Fletcher, Launders, Crossley, McKenna and McGuire. Additionally our strong ties with UCLan will see us welcome some good young players to the fold. As a result Loughy will have a few selection headaches as he seeks to juggle his resources.
Jebbster
Remaining Teams Round Up
Hoppers’ remaining teams scores from the weekend are listed below
Birkenhead Park 2 Preston Grasshoppers 3 77 – 0
Littleborough 2 Preston Grasshoppers 4 12 – 0
Preston Grasshoppers 5 Millom 2 53 – 14
Preston Grasshoppers 6 Clitheroe 2 19 – 14
Previous Round Up
Before Saturday here was the situation with Hoppers’ 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th teams:
Two matches into the new season and there have been fairly mixed results in the North West Intermediate Rugby Union Leagues sponsored by the University of Salford.
In Division 1, Hoppers 3 have started off with a loss and a draw, going down heavily 7-55 at Carlisle 2 before sharing 40 points with Aldwinians 2 at home last Saturday. Consequently, they find themselves in 9th spot in the table and today travel to Birkenhead Park 2 and next week host Wirral 2.
Hoppers 4 lost 10-27 away at Wigan 2 but won 16-10 at home to De La Salle 2 last week and sit in 8th place in Division 2 North. Today’s game is at Littleborough 2 and next Saturday at home to Bolton 2.
In Division 4 North, Hoppers 5, had a narrow 18-17 win at home to Bolton 3 but then came unstuck at Fleetwood 3, going down 3-36 last Saturday, leaving them in 9th spot. Today they host Millom 2 and next week travel to Wigan 3.
Disappointingly, Garstang 3 failed to raise a side for the opening fixture, so Hoppers 6 had a walk-over. They started the season last Saturday, but went down 12-36 at Carnforth 2, putting them 10th in Division 5 North. Today they are at home to Clitheroe 2 and next week have a trip to Blackburn 3.
The North West Intermediate Rugby Union Leagues are sonsored by the: University of Salford
