Preston Grasshoppers men's 1st XV travelled across the Pennines on the back of a dominant 40 point victory against Darlington Mowden Park and were looking to build on that performance.

The visitors got off to a good start but it was the hosts who opened the scoring, Joe Rowntree scoring a penalty after seven minutes.

It was a quick reply from Hoppers however, a line-out in the Otley 22 was switched over to fullback Sam Freeman who broke a tackle and went over for the first try of the game before converting his own try.

A few minutes later Rowntree cut the deficit to one with another penalty before the Hoppers offense kicked into gear.

In the 25th minute a powerful Hoppers scrum drove into Otley territory before offloading it to winger Owain Williams who burst past the Otley line to score the try.

Freeman converted to give Hoppers a 14-6 lead.

It was only ten minutes later when Hoppers got their next try, another powerful drive from a scrum allowed Dan Orwin's Hoppers side to push themselves all the way over for Tom Ailes to touch down for the try.

Freeman converted again and Hoppers led 21-6 at the half.

It was a sloppy start to the second half with both sides struggling to find their offensive rhythm but it was the visitors who continued to put points on the board.

It seemed like deja vu for all in attendance, another powerful drive from a Hoppers line-out resulting in another try, Harrison Causey getting involved in the scoring this time.

There was somewhat of a response from Otley, Ben Raubitschek adding their only try of the game with 10 minutes left to play.

Hoppers were resolute and determined to take all 5 points back to Lancashire, Freeman adding another 3 points before the referee blew the full-time whistle, the final score Hoppers 29 to Otley's 11.

Louis Jefferson