‘Hoppers aim to bounce back

PRESTON Grasshoppers face a hard trip to Huddersfield this weekend after a disappointing 19-27 defeat at the hands of Loughborough Students last Saturday

With Preston dropping to seventh in the Northern Division 3 table they face Huddersfield who, although lying third from bottom, can help guarantee their future in the division with four points.

On a four match losing streak, Huddersfield went down 18-22 in their Yorkshire derby against Bradford and Bingley last weekend.

Star

The Grasshoppers could face trouble against Huddersfield’s young star, winger Matt Clark. The Academy player was not only Huddersfield’s man of the match in his debut last week, but also topped his fine performance with a brilliant try.

Defeat at home to Loughborough Students has now all but ended any remaining hopes of promotion.

Preston can still look for consolation in the Lancashire Cup after a 24-17 victory at home to Waterloo in the Semi Final saw them progress to the Final in spectacular fashion.

Semi-final

Preston will find out who they will face in the final as Broughton Park travel to Fylde in the other semi final.

Preston, who in their remaining eight fixtures of the season face all top six sides in the division, need the five points available on Saturday.

Otherwise they could enter the hardest part of their season with only 10 points separating them and the bottom three.

“Disappointed”

Preston first team coach Paul Manley said: ”After a good sequence of wins we are very disappointed to have lost at home, however we know what we did wrong and we will be looking to improve on this.

“Last week was just a bad day at the office but we’re looking to win every game and we will be looking to take all five points this weekend.

“Balanced”

Preston head coach Alex Keay added, “We never see any game as a guaranteed win, this is a very evenly balanced league and Huddersfield pose as much a threat as Loughboruogh did last week.

“I was very angry after the defeat at the weekend and I made this very clear to the players at full time. I was very disappointed with the level of officiating too, which to be honest was very interesting at times.

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“We will be without Adam Crisp this weekend after he was injured against Loughborough and Tom Hughes who has got a recurring shoulder injury after playing for UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire). Apart from them it’s a full squad for the match.