Hoppers unlucky in 11 try thriller

Seniors: First XV: 18th February 2017

Stevenage Town 40 28 Grasshoppers
Third place Grasshoppers travelled to fourth place Stevenage expecting a tough encounter and that’s exactly what they got with end to end rugby delivering eleven tries and a lead that changed nine times throughout the game. Grasshoppers played down the substantial slope in the first half and got off to a god start but the first ten minutes set the scene for the whole game one score generally followed a counter-score. So, after fifteen minutes the score stood at 7-10 to G’s thanks to two well taken tries from number eight, James Kent and centre Louis Brown against a converted try from the home team. Things then settled down in the middle period of the half but picked up again towards the end as re-took the lead 14-10 with a converted try. Back came G’s though with a try from flanker, Callum Taylor to make the half time score a nail-biting 14-15. The second half started well for G’s as they stretched their lead thanks to a penalty from stand-off, Conor Gilmore to 14-18. This was though short lived at Stevenage countered with their third albeit unconverted try to make it 19-18. This spurred G’s on and so they threw everything at Stevenage and were rewarded with their fourth bonus point try from full back Blaze Salle to make it 19-23. Back came the home side as any ball gained in G’s half saw their forwards on the rampage to the line. Such a situation prompted their fourth try which when converted saw the lead change again to 26-23. Could G’s come back from this and the answer came as a sound yes as replacement winger, Ewan Crowley slipped in for G’s fifth unconverted try to make it 26-28 with ten minutes to go, could G’s hang on? Stevenage threw everything as G’s and made the most of the phycology of the slope. This saw them press for their fifth try which they achieved and the added conversion put them five points ahead at 33-28. G’s tried to force the game in the last play of the game to try to get back into the game but alas a lost ball saw the home side slip in for their sixth try and as the conversion flew over and the final whistle went, G’s were left to reflect on a single point achieved as the score board went to 40-28. However, all players should be proud of a great all round performance in which they scored five tries and played some magnificent inventive rugby.

Recruitment

Grasshoppers Rugby is always recruiting players of all standards to join our great club. We boast fabulous facilities consisting of three floodlit pitches. The main pitch is an AGP 3G surface which is used for training and league fixtures.

We boast an excellent onsite purpose-built gym for the use of all our players.

We have a great coaching team, with Clive See as Head Coach ably assisted by Munster man Asst Head & Defence Coach, Jerry Hedigan, Attack Coach Sean Conner and Defence Coach, Rory Damant all with a wealth of coaching experience.

In addition, and ongoing throughout the season, we have a specialist Rugby Strength & Conditioning Coach, Joe Murray.

If you are interested in joining a friendly but ambitious club then please turn up on a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.

Alternatively email Director of Rugby, Alastair Lydon: dor@grasshoppersrfc.com.


RFU Accredited Club