HOPPERS redeemed themselves with a stirring last match, Toby Sly running in the first score with a fine solo effort. His blind side run from the base of the five-metre scrum had Widnes reeling. Stuart Horn successfully converted the first of three kicks before Widnes struck back for a 5-5 half-time scoreline.

On the resumption, hooker David Bailey combined with Ross Sinclair to send the Preston side into the Widnes half. With Richard Loten and Nick Redding aggressively forcing the maul on, it was skipper Bailey who somehow emerged to reach for the line.

Widnes ran through the Hoppers line to score again before winger Joe Crossley slid in for the winning try.

The final score was Grasshoppers U12s 21 Widnes 14.

Earlier, depleted Hoppers were no match for their Scottish and Welsh opponents who took full advantage of the "hand off" - a technique banned for English youngsters.

The final scores were Grasshoppers U12s 0 West of Scotland 19, and Grasshoppers U12s 0 Mold 35.

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