RECOVERING at Sedgley Park from 10-0 down to 10-10 at half-time, Preston Grasshoppers U17s built a platform from which they should have gone on to clinch victory in their Lancashire Cup, second round tie on Sunday (Nov 9).

Despite Hoppers taking a 16-15 lead midway through the second half, it was the home team, based on a well organised and powerful pack, which secured entry to the third round in a hard-fought encounter.

Ben Sumner, playing as replacement scrum-half for Hoppers, controlled the delivery to his back line effectively.

Throughout the match quality play from both sides saw the balance ebb and flow from one side to the other.

Sedgley Park opened the scoring with a converted try in the first five minutes.

A penalty kick followed before Hoppers' open side flanker Philip Deakin scored.

The ball flying from touchline to touchline, he finished off a series of passes to gain a well deserved five points.

Sam Houston converted and shortly afterwards followed up with a penalty to level the match at 10-10.

Hoppers gained the advantage in the second half, Sam Houston kicking two penalties.

Then it was Sedgley Park who looked more likely to score and with an inevitable try they came within one point at 16-15.

With minutes to go Hoppers appeared to extend their meagre lead as they grounded a try, only for the referee to rule that the ball had been help up on the try line.

Controversial it may have been, but worse was to follow as Sedgley Park gained the winning try in similar circumstances at the other end.

This weekend the junior teams are involved in Lancashire Cup action: the U13s at home to Tyldesley; the U14s at home to Manchester and the U16s at home to Waterloo.

The U8s to U12s all travel away to West Park, St Helens.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.