Preston Grasshoppers 24 – 50 Nuneaton

The Preston Grasshoppers slumped to their third successive defeat after a 24 -50 defeat at the hands of top of the table Nuneaton.

Despite an excellent performance from Marcus Jackson who scored a try, four penalty kicks and one conversion, the Nuns ran over seven tries with an inspired performance from full back Robert Cook who created three tries.

The victory, which extends Nuneaton’s winning streak to 12 games, actually started well for The Grasshoppers when they took the lead through two Jackson penalties. Nuneaton replied immediately, and when a scrum in Preston’s 22 was passed swiftly from right to left, Richard Johnson went over for the first try of the game. Huw Thomas extended Nuneaton’s lead through a well taken conversion.

Inspired

The Grasshoppers were inspired by Nuneaton’s try and Marc Balshaw went over the line to finish a well made move which had started on the half way line. ‘Hoppers then allowed Nuneaton straight back into the game only four minutes after the try when poor defending allowed captain Gary Holmes to drive over the line from a five metre line out.

Jackson then gave the Grasshoppers a glimmer of hope for the second half when he scored his third penalty of the game, which meant that the score was 14-14 at the interval.

The second half started in fiery fashion with an influx of yellow cards and brawls. Holmes was the first to go for Nuneaton, closely followed by team mate Matt Aston and the Grasshoppers Glyn Dewhurst who were both yellow carded for fighting, the third such incident in the match. Both teams successfully converted the resulting penalties.

Lost

The Grasshoppers lost the game in the following ten minutes due to a magnificent performance from Cook. The full back took full advantage of the extra space, creating three tries for Aaron Takarangi, Dan Hurst and Richard Johnson. The Grasshoppers simply had no reply to his performance

Running from just outside Nuneaton’s 22, Jackson went over the try line for a Grasshoppers consolation, but the game had already been lost. With the Grasshoppers desperately trying to find a way through Nuneaton’s resolute defence for the elusive bonus point, the visitors took full advantage and t two good counter attacking moves saw Tim Douglas and Huw Thomas go over to seal the win.

Were the Grasshoppers unlucky this week against the top of the league?
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