Hoppers return to form

Hoppers’ put last week’s embarrassing defeat behind them, with a worthy win over relegation threatened Bradford & Bingley. This was a much improved performance that showed signs of the kind of rugby that made Hoppers a joy to watch earlier in the season.

The opening minutes, however, must have given players, coaches and fans alike a horrible sense of déjà vu as Hoppers’ gifted the visitors 14 points whilst again being unable to convert themselves.

Bradford & Bingley were seven points up in a blink of an eye as Hoppers surrendered possession on half way, due to some poor handling, and after Robert Almond kicked ahead, the visitors were able to win the ball and scrum half Mark Gemmell sneaked over from close range, Tom Davidson was successful with a simple conversion.

Hoppers closed the gap when Nick Smith converted a penalty but the home side again shot themselves in the foot and gave The Bees another simple score. After good work to snuff out a dangerous looking attack, Hoppers made a mess of the resulting five metre scrum and had the clearing kick charged down handing the scrum and the initiative to the visitors. After a solid scrum number 8 Tom Ball collected from the base and powered over, Davidson again converted.

On the half hour mark Smith added his second penalty to narrow the gap slightly and Hoppers began to wrestle control of the game. They were rewarded just before the half with a try, Tom Hughes great run set them up with a line out deep inside the 22. The pack then went for the catch and drive which the visitors had no answer for but to infringe, and even as Hoppers forwards were about to touchdown in the corner, referee Trevor Fisher awarded a penalty try making the resulting kick a whole lot easier and Smith made no mistake, taking Hoppers into the break trailing by just one point 13-14.

The Bees got the first points of the second half just minutes after the restart when Davidson slotted home a penalty but Hoppers continued where they had left of at the end of the first half and began to dominate.

Straight away Hoppers looked to run the ball at the visitors and again Hughes provided the catalyst, this time linking well with Matt Hughes to create space down the left and after great support work from a returning Marc Balshaw to keep the move going Scott Manning was able to cross and round off a superb move. Smith added the extras and Hoppers had the lead for the first time.

That lead was extended with little over ten minutes to play as again Hughes cut through the visiting defence with ease, this time from a scrum just outside the 22. Hughes had too much pace for his opposite number and scythed through the defence before releasing Owen McKenna with a well timed pass as the full back had joined the line at the opportune moment. Smith was successful with the conversion and a penalty minutes later.

Bradford & Bingley kept fighting however, and after Balshaw was shown a yellow card with under five minutes to play, they went all out looking for a bonus point. They got the try they were looking for when replacement Sam Hobbs crossed when the numbers game finally caught up to the home defence but missed out on a vital point as the conversion, in front of the posts, somehow sailed wide.