Hoppers Tame The Lions

Hoppers first away win of the season helped them record back to back bonus point victories as they look to turn the corner after a difficult run of games against the league’s top sides.

Traveling to a spirited Rugby Lions side that lost many key players in the off season, Hoppers dominated from the start and only a late flurry of home tries, assisted by some poor officiating brought the score back to a level of respectability.

Hoppers started brightly and displayed dominance in all areas from the outset, with the pack again performing well in the loose and set piece and the young back line looking dangerous. They took the lead through the boot of Tommy Bell who smashed a penalty from all of 45 metres and had their first try inside ten minutes when Tom Ashton rounded off a free flowing move that started with a scrum in Hoppers territory. Ashton grabbed his second try a few minutes later with a display of great strength from the winger who shrugged off several would be tacklers to power over the line, Bell missed the tricky conversion but added a second booming penalty to give Hoppers a 18-0 lead.

Rugby finally got on the score sheet soon when fly half Aaron Higgins had a moment of inspiration to chip over the top, collect his own kick and score. However, Hoppers answered straight back with a classy try from Paul White. After the forwards had driven on from a line out they unleashed the backs and Bell’s pass hit White at pace who cut a great line in midfield to cross with ease.

The second half started with a bang as Hoppers secured the bonus points with just two minutes gone, Matt Charters and Tom Ball combined well to put White in space who again displayed his pace to leave the home defence in his wake.

Tom Hughes then scored the try of the game and gave the Lions a lesson in completing tackles as he got back to his feet on three occasions to leave the defence bewildered and score by the posts.

Hoppers then fell foul of some poor officiating as the referee shockingly decided to sin bin Richie Sands, who was only trying to get a Lions player off a team-mate 20 seconds after play had moved on and Tom Ball for hands in the ruck.

Rugby took advantage when Liam Munro powered over from short range following a catch and drive that had stalled just short of the line. Hoppers scored again when Ball returned from the bin to throw a great dummy and catch out most of the defence, Bell’s conversion took the Hoppers to 50 points.

Rugby scored twice late on to secure a bonus point when Ian Reynard rounded off a great break by Todd Freemantle and replacement Matt Davies was on hand in the dying minutes to place the ball over the line from a catch and drive.

While Hoppers with be frustrated with the late tries and the officiating it was a promising performance from a team that is beginning to gel together under the new coaching staff, the forwards appear fitter and stronger and the backs are playing with pace and precision that should lead to plenty of tries and victories.