Preston hammer Hinckley in rare victory

PRESTON Grasshoppers earned their first win since the opening day of the season by thrashing fellow strugglers Hinckley.

The result for Hoppers was their first bonus-point victory of the campaign, while Hinckley’s losing streak was extended to six.

Luke Proctor bagged the host’s first try of the afternoon, and Lewis Allen converted for an early 10-0 lead.

The visitors came back into the contest as their forwards piled on pressure, allowing Callum Dacey to dot down.

Connor Eastgate converted, but another Allen penalty gave Hoppers a sixpoint cushion.

Hinckley then took the lead after Jacob Umaga scored a sensational try: leaving Hoppers tackling thin air.

The hosts quickly regained their advantage when Olly Viney scored under the sticks after a neat exchange with Cam Robinson, and Allen’s boot gave Hoppers a deserved 20-14 lead at the break.

Viney bagged his second shortly after the interval, running a neat inside line after good work from Conor Trueman.

The third-quarter was a tighter affair, with Allen and Eastgate exchanging penalties before Hoppers cut loose.

Jack Harrison and Billy Woof touched down to finish off two excellent free-flowing moves.

Chris Roddy completed the rout, leaving Allen to add the extras.