Hoppers climb out of bottom spot with a flourish

PRESTON Grasshoppers bagged their first win since November by defeating Otley at Lightfoot Green.

The result ended a sevengame losing streak for Hoppers, and moved them off the bottom of National League 2 North, swapping places with Sheffield Tigers.

Hoppers dominated the first half, with Lewis Allen kicking two early penalties to give the hosts a 6-0 advantage. Heavy rain made the new 4G playing surface incredibly slippy, resulting in plenty of knock-ons and sloppy passes from both teams.

Hoppers scored their first try after 25 minutes. No.8 Matt Frings crashed over from the base of a scrum, with Allen adding the extras. Another penalty from Allen gave the hosts a 16-0 lead at halftime.

Otley then started the second period in much brighter fashion, spending the half ’s opening ten minutes camped inside Hoppers’ 22.

But it was the hosts who scored next through Chris Roddy. The second-row touched down after a pick and go round the corner, and Allen converted to give Hoppers a 23-0 lead.

Corey Logan scored Hoppers’ third try from a driving line-out, with Allen maintaining his 100 per cent record from the tee.

Otley did have the final say when Luke Chadwick crashed over from a driving maul in the corner, but it was Hoppers who earned a vital victory.