“A Difficult Start for Hoppers”
Seniors: First XV: 26th September 2026
| Harpendon | 54 | 28 | Grasshoppers |
Harpenden 54 Grasshoppers 28
Due to the summer drought the 2026/27 season was delayed by two weeks to give the super-dry grounds time to soften up. And so, Grasshoppers travelled to Harpenden with an enthusiastic side with an average age of 24 to kick the season off.
So on a balmy September day the home side kicked off and soon went into the lead with two converted tries to make it 14-0. G’s though started to get some decent possession and time in the home team’s 22 and were rewarded with a try for second row, Mannix Taylor following a quick penalty from number 8, Lewis Perkins and with the conversion by stand-off, Charlie Lecuyer the score narrowed to 14-7.
G’s let things slip in the next phase of the game as the home side ran in three converted tries to take the score to 35-7. However, just before half time some slick back play saw debut centre, Michael Dees slip in for their second try and with the Charlie Lecuyer conversion the half time score moved to 35-14.
G’s started the second half much better with much of the side adjusting to level 6 rugby and although, the home side scored first it was G’s who controlled this section of the game which saw Michael Dees, claim his second try to narrow the score to 42-21 with the Charlie Lecuyer conversion.
The home side though, put the result to bed with a further two tries and a conversion but it was G’s who had the last word as Mannix Taylor went over for try in the last play of the game to get a 4th try bonus point and with the Charlie Lecuyer conversion making the final score 54-28.
Next week G’s are at home to London Irish Wild Geese 3pm kick off.
