Hoppers are promoted as Ilkley are the latest victims
PRESTON Grasshoppers are champions of the Northern Premier and will return to National Two North next season after beating Ilkley 42-26.
The Grasshoppers have been beaten just once in the season to date with 22 wins now secured with three games left and a century of points already surpassed.
The Hoppers crashed out of National 2N just 12 months ago but have bounced back at the very first attempt.
Coach Paul Arnold said: “I am very proud of everyone involved at the Grasshoppers from players and coaches to fans and club officials.”
The Hoppers opened with a try from Alex Ward but Ilkley hit back with a score from Dan Lawrence with the conversion from Ben McGee giving the visitors a 7-5 lead.
It did not last long as Matt Lamprey ploughed over to restore the league leaders’ advantage.
Jake Squirrel added the conversion with a penalty to put the home side 15-7 ahead.
Sam Scott, PJ Melia and Lamprey, his second, crossed for further tries with Squirrel slotting two more conversions for 34-14 at the interval.
Ilkley’s only reply came through a second try from Jack Mapleston converted by McGee.
In the second period Squirrel landed a penalty before a superb move from the Hoopers’ own line involving Scott Jordan, Ally Murray and Paul Arnold saw Jack Akrigg over for another try.
Ilkley came back in the closing stages with tries from Tom Milner, converted by Charles Morgan, and Pat Power to take a well deserved bonus point.
Elsewhere, Rossendale move up to fifth after beating Billingham 26-17 at Marl Pits.
Rossendale led 19-5 at the interval through tries from Reece Stansfield, Jordan Lord and Ian Blackman with Lewis Allen successful with two conversions.
Elliott Husband replied for visitors in a difficult opening 40.
In the second period Billingham came into contention with a try by Martin Hopley, converted by Dan Finney, but with Nick Flynn going in for the bonus point try, the conversion from Allen sealed the win for the home side .
Struggling Morley were 13-8 victors at home to Kirkby Lonsdale.
Both sides crossed for a try, Dan Percival for Morley and Matt Bargh for the visitors but it was the boot of Mark Chester that proved the difference with a conversion and two penalties.
In the final game of the round in the Northern Premier, second-placed Hull have opened up a nine point gap over third-placed Harrogate after beating
Wirral 10-31. Harrogate’s home match against Pocklington was postponed. Two of the day’s four scheduled games across the Midlands and South West Premier survived the heavy rain, but in the latter
Ivybridge secured a crucial win in their relegation battle with Bracknell.
Four first-half tries proved enough for them to claim a 28-14 victory,.
Ben Watts’ early try was cancelled out by Michael Clarke but further tries from Lewis Paterson, Robin Luscome and Billy Pinkus had the bonus point in the bag by half-time 28-7 in front.
They couldn’t add to their tally in the second half, but Clarke’s second for Bracknell proved the only score as Ivybridge held on.
The win moves them five points clear of the bottom three, climbing above Bracknell in the process.
Bracknell remain four points above Newbury Blues, whilst the mid-table clash between Exmouth and Camborne was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
In the Midlands, Birmingham and Solihull Bees potential promotion party turned into a damp squib. A bonus point win would have secured the title but the match at home to third placed Newport
Salop, initially moved to a different pitch, was postponed 35 minutes after the re-scheduled kick-off time. The remaining Midlands games went ahead with
Scunthorpe strengthened their grip on fourth, beating fifth placed Doncaster
Phoenix 19-0.