A new National League 2 North season begins at Lightfoot Green on Saturday as Preston Grasshoppers welcome newly promoted Heath for what will be a first-ever senior meeting between the two clubs.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding the opening fixture. Hoppers will be looking to build on an encouraging finish to last season, while their visitors arrive in Preston on the back of an outstanding promotion campaign and preparing to play National League rugby for the first time in their history.

Last season – Preston Grasshoppers
Hoppers eventually finished ninth in National 2 North in 2025/26, but the final position only tells part of the story.
Dan Orwin's side endured a difficult middle section of the campaign, with injuries at times severely testing the depth of the squad. By February, Hoppers travelled to Wharfedale with 12 first-team players unavailable, but as numbers returned the performances and results improved considerably.

The closing weeks provided particular encouragement. Preston won five of their final seven matches, including an excellent 29-11 victory at Otley and a free-scoring home win against promotion-chasing Hull Ionians. They eventually signed off with a 38-28 defeat at Billingham, but the second-half resurgence was enough to secure a comfortable ninth-place finish and provide momentum heading into the summer.

That attacking potential had been evident throughout the season. Hoppers opened last year's campaign with a 46-24 bonus-point victory over Billingham, while a 74-7 win against Scunthorpe in October demonstrated just how dangerous Preston can be when they find rhythm with ball in hand.

There have also been changes during the summer. Orwin remains at the helm, while former captain Josh Longson has moved into a player-coach role with responsibility for the forwards. Hoppers have also added considerable National League experience, including Matt Ashcroft from Fylde, along with Josh Ree and returning former Hoppers junior Matt Sturgess from Sedgley Park, with Sturgess joining the coaching group as player-coach.

Last season – Heath

If Hoppers ended 2025/26 strongly, Heath arrive at Lightfoot Green having enjoyed an extraordinary season.

The Halifax club swept to the Regional 1 North East title with 21 wins from 22 matches, suffering only one league defeat all season. Their promotion takes Heath into National 2 North – the highest level of competitive league rugby in the club's history. heath-rugby.co.uk
The numbers underline their dominance. Heath produced some huge attacking performances, including victories of 73-22 at Cleckheaton, 68-28 at Driffield and an astonishing 115-5 home win against Penrith. They finished the campaign by beating Kendal 46-0 to confirm an emphatic title-winning season.

It wasn't a one-season breakthrough either. Heath had finished third in Regional 1 North East the previous year after winning 16 of 22 matches, alongside lifting the Papa Johns Cup at Twickenham's replacement finals venue in Worcester. Three successive top-three finishes ultimately culminated in last season's promotion.

The question now is how quickly that formidable Regional 1 form translates to National League rugby.

Players to watch
For the visitors, much of the attention will inevitably fall on Chris Johnson. Heath's fly-half and head coach brings previous experience with Sale FC, Fylde and Huddersfield and was the outstanding points scorer in Regional 1 North East last season, amassing 287 points. His game management and accuracy from the tee could be particularly important in what is likely to be a far tighter contest than many Heath encountered last year.

Outside him, winger Jake Haynes provides the obvious finishing threat. Haynes crossed for 28 tries last season despite missing matches through injury, making him the league's leading try scorer and a player Hoppers will need to deny space.

For Preston, supporters will be keen to get an early look at the summer arrivals. Matt Sturgess brings significant experience following his time with Sedgley Park and returns to the club where he played his junior rugby, while Matt Ashcroft arrives from Fylde and should add further know-how at this level.

There is plenty of established quality remaining too. Josh Longson will once again be central to Hoppers' work up front, while the likes of Sam Freeman have already demonstrated their ability to hurt National 2 defences – Freeman began last season with a hat-trick against Billingham as Hoppers collected a five-point opening-day win.

A fascinating opening test
Opening-day fixtures are rarely straightforward and Heath arguably represent one of the most interesting opponents Hoppers could have been handed.

The visitors will arrive with confidence after barely putting a foot wrong for 12 months, but Saturday represents a significant step up. Preston, meanwhile, will want to show that the strong form they produced during the closing months of last season was the beginning of something rather than simply a strong finish.

With Hoppers strengthened over the summer and Heath carrying the momentum of a 21-win title campaign, there should be no shortage of motivation on either side.

Preston Grasshoppers v Heath
Saturday 5 September
Kick-off: 2.30pm
Lightfoot Green

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