Preston Grasshoppers travel to Cross Green on Saturday to face Otley in National League 2 North, with both sides looking to finish the season strongly as the league enters its final stretch.

Hoppers arrive after a convincing 66–26 victory over Darlington Mowden Park, a performance that showed their attacking threat and ability to convert pressure into points. That result provided a welcome boost following a difficult spell that had included defeats to Wharfedale (34–19) and Tynedale (42–37), and it lifted confidence within the squad ahead of another challenging away trip.

In the league table, Preston currently sit 11th with 40 points, just behind Otley who occupy 10th place with 41 points, meaning Saturday’s clash offers a valuable opportunity for Hoppers to close the gap and potentially climb a place in the standings. With only a handful of points separating several teams in the middle and lower half of the table, every result from this stage of the campaign could prove significant.

Otley’s recent form has been mixed but competitive. They picked up a 32–26 win over Rossendale in February but have also suffered defeats to sides such as Sheffield Tigers (38–0) and Hull Ionians (29–27), underlining the unpredictable nature of the division. Playing at Cross Green will give them confidence, but they will know they face a Hoppers side capable of producing strong attacking performances.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season saw Otley claim a 34–25 victory at Lightfoot Green Lane, taking five points in an entertaining contest despite a determined Hoppers effort. Preston will be keen to use that result as motivation this weekend and demonstrate the improvements they have made since that November meeting.

With the two sides separated by just a single point in the standings, Saturday’s encounter promises to be a competitive affair. If Hoppers can build on the momentum of their recent victory and maintain the attacking accuracy shown last time out, they will travel to Yorkshire with every chance of returning home with a valuable result.