Match Report: Stevenage v Grasshoppers

Seniors: First XV: 14th April 2018

Stevenage 5 37 Grasshoppers
With promotion in the bag Grasshoppers travelled to Stevenage knowing that anything from this game would make them Champions of London Northwest Three. However, Stevenage had their own ideas as they needed a bonus point win to keep their promotion hopes alive. So on a glorious spring day the home side kicked off down the slope and set their intentions to take the game to G’s straight away with G’s failing to get any possession or momentum in the game. However, the G’s defence stood firm which gave them the opportunity to spend some time in the opposition twenty-two. This in turn allowed them to break the deadlock on twenty minutes with a well taken unconverted try from winger, Tom O’Halloran. The game continued in the same vein for the rest of the half with sustained pressure from the home side matched with steadfast defence from G’s and despite numerous scoring opportunities for both sides the half-time score remained at 0-5. Despite playing up the slop the home side continued their intent to throw the ball around and this strategy bore fruit as Stevenage ran from their own twenty-two to score an unconverted try to draw the sides level at 5-5 and give themselves hope. G’s though, continued to strive to achieve a winning end to the season and decided to take three points from a penalty from stand-off, Conor Gilmore to make it 5-8. G’s continued this pressure and shortly afterwards number eight, Louis Brown’s mercurial running saw him go over for G’s second unconverted try to widen the gap to 5-13. This was undoubtedly G’s best period of the game as quick possession from the phases allowed their backs room and so this lead to Tom O’Halloran’s second try and G’s third try to make the score 5-20 with the Conor Gilmore conversion added. This dominance continued and G’s were rewarded with the fourth bonus point / championship try from centre, Craig Foster to move the score onto 5-25. Stevenage game back at G’s and pressed for the next ten minutes but Conor Gilmore gathered an interception and put centre, Mark Cunningham in for the try under the posts which Conor Gilmore converted. And so it with the last play of the game G’s again ran good possession which saw winger, Harry Hancock break the line to feed Tom O’Halloran who went in for his hat-trick try and to round an excellent afternoon and season’s rugby at 5-37.

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