SENIORS NEWS 2011/12 SEASON

Match Report for Saturday 28th January

Grasshoppers 18 Hemel Hempstead 29

Better Performance for Hoppers?

On a glorious winter day Grasshoppers welcomed Hemel Hempstead to Macfarlane Lane hoping to gain some well needed league points and so opted to play up the slope in the first half. Hemel Hempstead kicked off and G's started the better with lots of time in the oppositions half but as with previous games, failed to convert pressure into points despite some impressive runs from skipper and player of the day Henry Montgomery Smith at number eight.

The visitors came to life though after ten minutes breaking out and the deadlock with an unconverted try. G?s though came straight back and were rewarded with an unconverted try of their own courtesy of winger Shane Feely to bring the sides level. The only scores in the run up to half time were a penalty for each side making the score 8-8.

The visitors upped their game in the second half denying G's of any possession and despite some sterling defence they eased ahead 8-22 thanks to two converted tries. This spurred G's on though and they clawed their way back into the game with two unconverted tries from second row, Tom Lund, having an excellent debut and winger, Leo Smith to narrow the score to 18-22.

G's threw everything at the visitors in the final minutes of the game looking for the win but it was Hemel Hempstead who had the last word with a converted try to take get a bonus point win and deny G's of any points of their own with a final score of 18-29.

G's seconds had the narrowest of losses at home to Hammersmith & Fulham 10-11.

Next week G's are away to Tabard 2.30 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 14th January

Chiswick 35 Grasshoppers 15

Hoppers Have Nothing to Show Despite Effort

Grasshoppers travelled the short distance to Chiswick expecting a backlash for the 56-24 win earlier in the season and that?s exactly what they got. G's kicked off and started the better and were on top for the first ten minutes of the game. This saw skipper and winger, Tom Woodhouse get a try which full back Jed Wyngrove converted and it was all looking good for G's.

So with the adage: revenge is best taken cold Chiswick took control of the game and soon had the score board ticking along with two converted tries after which G's scored a penalty through Jed Wyngrove to make the score 14-10. Despite some desperate defence Chiswick scored an unconverted try and two penalties to make the half time score 25-10.

The third quarter of the game was all G's as they pushed and pushed to get them selves back into the game and so they did with a well taken unconverted try from number eight, Callum McCormack and there could have been more but for some unforced errors.

And so with G's pushing for the bonus point Chiswick took control and added ten points through two unconverted tries to make the final score 35-15.

G's 2nd team faired better with an excellent 43-20 home win over Old Streetonians with their Coaches, Peter Dymott and Russell Cowley showing disappointment that they couldn?t make it a 25 point margin for an added bonus point.

No league games next week but G's are at home to Hemel Hempstead on 28th January 2.15 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 7th January

Welwyn 23 Grasshoppers 14

Two Tries But No Points For G's

Grasshoppers travelled to Welwyn to see if they could get their 2011/12 season going again, against a side that had struggled themselves of late. It was a classic battle pitting the forward power of Welwyn against the silky back skills of G's.

G's kicked off and took time to settle allowing the home side room and time to cruise ahead 8-0 with an unconverted try and a penalty. Back came G's though as they started to secure possession with a try from winger, Chris Bamber-Blake, which stand off, Mark Cunningham converted to close the gap. However G's indiscipline allowed the home side to extend their lead before half time with another penalty to make the score 14-7, with all to play for in the second half

G's threw everything at Welwyn in the second half and were rewarded with a Mark Cunningham try out wide which he duly converted to level the teams at 14-14. The last twenty minutes of the game saw both sides play end to end rugby but despite some inventive play from the G's backs the Welwyn forwards tightened the screw. This forced errors from G's and as the home side scored three penalties the bonus point slipped silently away with the score on 23-14

Next week G's are away to Chiswick 2.15 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 17th December

Grasshoppers 22 Imperial Medics 23

Hoppers Promise Hampered by Medics?

Grasshoppers welcomed Imperial Medics to MacFarlane Lane on a bright mid winters afternoon hoping to revenge the narrow away defeat back in September and get something from the last league fixture of the year.

G's played up the slope in the first half and struggled to gain any momentum in the first ten minutes of the game and found themselves 0-3 down from penalty goal. However, thanks to some excellent work by the G's forwards, they got back into the game with a try from skipper and winger Tom Woodhouse to narrow the take the lead 5-3.

Back came the visitors with another unconverted try followed shortly by a converted try to stretch their lead to 5-15. G's then got a try from flanker and player of the day, Callum McCormack and with centre Tom Orishaguna adding the conversion it was looking good for a narrow 12-15 turnaround but the visitors wouldn?t lie down and had the final word with a penalty to make the half time score 12-18.

G's were rampant in the second half and were soon back in front with unconverted tries from full back Jeremy Easton and stand off Matt Reilly to retake the lead 22-18. It was nailbiting stuff for G's in the dying minutes as wave after wave of Imperial Medics attacks were repelled but just as the proverbial final Advent Window was about to be opened revealing five points up popped the visitors with a try to take that game leaving G's with only two to make the final score 22-23.

G's 2nd XV had a great merit table win against Chiswick 13-7.

A very merry Christmas and festive break to all - G's next game is away to Welwyn on 7th January.

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Match Report for Saturday 10th December

Fullerians 34 Grasshoppers 17

Hoppers Stocking Emptied by Fullers

Grasshoppers travelled to Watford to play Fullerians hoping to kick start their pre-Christmas league season. Newly promoted Fullerians for their part also needed to improve to sustain themselves in this league.

Fullerians kicked off and denied G's of any possession for the first ten minutes of the game and with twenty minutes gone and despite some stern tackling G's found themselves 10-0 down thanks to a converted try and penalty. G's did muster in the second quarter of the game but could never sustain any pressure to threaten the Fullerians line, so it was the home side who had the last word in the half with a further converted try to make the score 17-0.

G's started the second half well and for twenty minutes dragged themselves back into the game to 17-17 thanks to unconverted tries from winger and skipper, Tom Woodhouse and number eight, Russel Fielding then centre Korede Okelana got a third with Jed Wingrove adding the conversion. This saw Fullerians desperately holding onto the reigns of their sledge trying to keep control. And so it came to pass, "oh yes it did", Santa turned to Scrooge, as a penalty and two converted tries made the final score 34-17 to deny G's of any bonus points and with only one Advent window left to get any.

Next week G's are at home to Imperial Medics 2.15 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 3rd December

Grasshoppers 15 Old Haberdashers 37

Hoppers Advent Spoiled by Haberdashers

G's welcomed in form Old Haberdashers to MacFarlane Lane as the league season moved into December. Grasshoppers played down the slope in the first half and got off to a good start denying the visitors of any possession in the opening phases. This possession allowed the G's backs to move the ball and they got an unconverted try thanks to a clever kick over the visitors defence for winger and player of the day, Leo Smith touch down.

This though signalled the end of any sustained pressure for G's as Old Haberdashers got the scoreboard moving with some excellent total rugby so at half time the score stood at 5-20 thanks to three tries, a penalty and a conversion.

G's kicked off the second half and were under pressure straight away as Old Haberdashers added a converted try to their total. However, this spurred G's on and they started to get some decent possession and move it through their backs. This pressure bore fruit as they came back with two unconverted tries thanks to Tom Orishaguna and skipper Tom Woodhouse to narrow the gap to 15-27.

G's continued to press for their fourth try and the bonus point but it wasn't to be as the visitors claimed a score flattering penalty and converted try to make the final score 15-37. It was then left to the inform G's 2nds to record the only win of the day against Bank of England as the 3rd XV narrowly lost to Belsize Park.

Next week, G's open the second of their Advent windows away to Fullerians 2.15 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 12th November

Grasshoppers 24 Stevenage Town 18

JEDWOOD Shines at Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers welcomed top of the table, Stevenage Town, to MacFarlane Lane and a combination of inspirational skipper, Tom Woodhouse and debut centre Jed Wingrove with nine points from the boot were key factors in this win which saw the whole team step up to the challenge.

G's kicked off up the slope and it was deadlock for the first ten minutes of the game with the visitors heavier pack taking control at the scrums. It was though second row and player of the day, Henry Montgomery Smith, who broke the deadlock with a try that Jed Wingrove converted. Then shortly after with the G?s forwards in control Tom Woodhouse was shown the outside which he politely took to score wide out and up stepped Jed Wingrove to slot his most difficult of conversions to make it 14-0.

Back came the visitors showing their top of the table pedigree but the G's defence held and so all they had to show for their pressure was a penalty. Then just before half time winger Leo Smith took advantage of some indifferent Stevenage handling to grab the ball and go under the posts with the third of Jed Wingroves' conversions making the half time score 21-3. The second half was made up of some fantastic G's defence as the visitors threw everything at them to gradually reel them in with a try and two penalties to narrow the gap to ten points.

With the visitors continuing to press it need a sterling defensive effort in the final nail biting quarter but G's did break out and on one such incursion were awarded a penalty which Jed Wingrove converted to consolidate their lead at 24-11.

The final word though came form the visitors as their incessant pressure told and they were awarded a penalty try to make the final score 24-18.

G's second team kept up their winning ways with a home win against London Scottish 4ths. They were 10-0 up at half time thanks to a try from second row, Matt Holding which was converted by stand off Mark Cunningham who added a penalty.

G's were awarded a penalty try which Mark Cunningham converted. Back came Scottish though with a converted try to make the score 17-7. But G's had the last word with a Mark Cunningham Penalty and an unconverted Aaron Bolton try to make the final score 25-7.

Next week G's are away to St Albans 2.30 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 5th November

Woodford 25 Grasshoppers 12 / Old Streetonians 24 Grasshoppers 2nds 31

Hoppers 2nds Streets Ahead

Confident in their 1st and 2nd XV Squads, Grasshoppers opted to play two cup competitions on the same day with the 1st XV playing away at Woodford and the 2nd XV away at Old Streetonians. Even though both sides performed well overall in the end it was the 2nd XV who progressed to the next round of the Middlesex Bowl with the 1st XV dropping out of the National Intermediate Cup.

The 1st XV got off to a dreadful start trailing 20-0 at half time. They faired slightly better in the second half with tries from skipper, Tom Woodhouse at wing and replacement flanker Matt Shaw with Matt Reilly adding a conversion to the former. This though was punctuated by a further unconverted try from the home side to make the final score 25-12.

It was always going to be difficult for the Grasshopper 2nd XV and this proved to be as the home side scored first through a penalty but this spurred G's on who put the opposition under severe pressure resulting in a try after a great catch and drive from second row, Matt Holding and with stand off Mark Cunningham adding the conversion G's took the lead.

Shortly after, some slick handling from their backs saw full back, Jed Wingrove slice through the defence to score under the posts and the Mark Cunningham conversion put clear light between the sides. Back though came Old Streets with some sustained pressure in the G's 22 which brought an unconverted try to bring the score to 8 - 14. Then just before half time centre Leo Smith score an unconverted try to make the half time score 8-19.

The start of the second half was given a seasonal fanfare with an impromptu firework display thanks to some local youths. G's continued where they'd left off in the first half and despite some stern Old Streets defence would have moved further ahead. Their prolific kicker did though kick three penalties in quick succession to bring the score to 17-19.

A few words of wisdom from skipper Ben Glavin, saw G's began to take control which resulted in the G's pack drive the home pack back at a rate of knots as the excellent G's scrum half, Jonny Rowling, slip in for the try which Mark Cunningham converted to widen the gap at 17-26.

G's fifth try came shortly after Mark Cunningham raced through a gap to score an unconverted try wide out. Old Streets though wouldn't lay down and threw everything at G's who defended valiantly in the final quarter and although Old Streets did add a converted try to close the gap G's held out for a famous and great victory against a side from London 2 NE.

Next week G's have three home games with the 1st XV taking on top of the table Stevenage 2.30 kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 29th October

Harpenden 27 Grasshoppers 24

Difficult Trip for Hoppers

Grasshoppers travelled to Hertfordshire to play Harpenden and after 15 minutes it looked rosy as they cruised into a 0-12 lead thanks to tries from centre, Leo Smith and flanker, Will Cousack topped off with a conversion from Tom Orishaguna covering at full back.

However, the home side fought their way back into the game making more of the elements and the Hoppers mistakes. This allowed them to claw their way back into the game with a penalty and unconverted try to narrow the score to 8-12 then just before half time Tom Orishaguna slotted a penalty to make the half time score 8-15.

Harpenden started the second half where left off in the first and threw everything at G's and started to believe that their first win of the season was achievable. This effort started the scoreboard moving with three tries and two conversions to move twelve points ahead at 27-15.

G's though came back at Harpenden with an unconverted try from skipper and winger, Tom Woodehouse followed shortly by a Tom Orishaguna penalty to pull the game to within four points. G's pressed in the final minutes but it wasn't to be and so had to be contented with a single bonus point.

Next week G's are away to Woodford in the National Cup and the seconds take on Old Streetonians in the Middlesex Cup.

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Match Report for Saturday 22nd October

Grasshoppers 12 Tabard 12

Grasshoppers welcomed Tabard to MacFarlane Lane, on a bright but breezy autumn afternoon and opted to play up the slope in the first half into the breeze. They got off to a bright start but the penalty count in the first 10 minutes was far too high with the home side taking the lead with a penalty goal. Back came G's though with an unconverted try from full back Jeremy Easton after some flowing rugby from the G's backs to retake the lead 5-3. The run into half time was punctuated with three more Tabard penalties to make the half time score 5-12.

It was all G's in the second half but the well organised Tabard defence stopped them from scoring until five minutes from the end when centre and player of the day, Tom Orishaguna slipped in for the try and slotted the pressure conversion to make the final score 12-12.

G's 2nds lost 12-29 to Roslyn Park, the thirds lost 17-20 to Old Streetonians with the Vets losing out a way to Ruislip.

Next week G's are away to Harpenden in the league 3pm kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 15th October

Grasshoppers II 17 Ruislip II 17

Hoppers Draw Summer to a Close

With no league rugby all eyes turned to the in form Grasshopper 2nd XV as they welcomed Ruislip to MacFarlane Lane on another glorious day with the tug of war between summer and winter continuing.

G's kicked off down the slope and had the upper hand for much of the first quarter of the game but let things slip as the Ruislip forwards got on top to force two unconverted tries to give them a 0-10 lead on the half hour mark.

G's responded well as a team and by half time they had clawed their way back into the game with a try from second row, Dave Simpson which was converted by Mark Cunningham. Then after a glorious series of off loads, Flanker, Nathan Knight went over for an unconverted try to go into half time 12-10 ahead.

Both sides threw everything into it in the second half making it a great contest of end to end rugby. First blood went to Ruislip with a converted try to retake the lead then despite much pressure G?s had to wait until the final throws of the game to draw level with a try from winger Matt Orishaguna, alas the conversion wasn't to be with both sides leaving the field at 17-17.

Grasshoppers 3rds lost 10-49 to the Law Society. At half time it was 0-35 but a spirited come back saw them score their 10 points in the second half and restrict the visitors to 14.

Next week it's back to the league as G's welcome Tabard to MacFarlane Lane, 3pm kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 8th October

Hemel Hempstead 15 Grasshoppers 17

Ugly is Pretty for Hoppers

Grasshoppers showed that they could win ugly as well as pretty with this dogged win away at Hemel Hempstead against a side that tested them until the final whistle. G's kicked off and were soon on the attack with their backs looking magnificent. It was fitting then that skipper and winger, Tom Woodhouse, finished off a magnificent move to score under the posts which Tom Orishaguna converted. Back came the home team though with a penalty and converted try to take the lead 10-7.

The run-up to half time was end to end with no side being able to convert pressure into points until G's got their backs going again and saw the other winger, Shane Feely, slip in for a try which Tom Orishaguna converted to make the half time score 10-14.

Hemel Hempstead threw everything at G's in the second half with their forwards getting on top and but for some stout defence they would have put the game out of reach. As it was they were only able to add an unconverted try albeit to take the lead 15-14.

The final ten minutes of the game saw the G's forwards retake control which led to a series of penalty attempts from Tom Orishaguna the last of which sailed over to the delight of the travelling supporters and G's held out to take the game 15-17.

Next week G's have a league weekend off but both the 2nds & 3rds are at home for merit table games 3pm kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 1st October

Grasshoppers 56 Chiswick 20

Eight Try Hoppers Bag the Win

Grasshoppers welcomed players and supporters from Chiswick to MacFarlane Lane on a glorious afternoon with the Ambre Solaire in greater need than the usual White Horse Oils.

Grasshoppers kicked off down the slope and didn't give the visitors any time or room at all in the first quarter and were soon ahead 6-0 thanks to two Tom Orishaguna penalties. This was shortly followed by unconverted tries from winger, Shane Feely and centre, Tom Orishaguna to stretch the lead to 16-0.

Chiswick came back at G's but failed to add points due to final passes going astray and so it was G's who kept the scoreboard ticking to make the half time score 23-0 thanks to a try from centre, Korede Okelana which Tom Orishaguna converted.

G's continued where they left of in the first half and continued to move the scoreboard to 42-0 thanks to tries from winger and skipper Tom Woodhouse, Tom Orishaguna for his second and full back, Jeremy Easton plus two conversions from Tom Orishaguna. Back came Chiswick though, with an unconverted try which was cancelled out almost straight away with a try from second row and player of the day, Callum McCormack and the conversion from Matt Reilly put the score at 49-5.

The last quarter of the game saw a Chiswick revival leaving their supporters to wonder what might have been when they scored three unconverted tries to bag the bonus point punctuated with Jeremy Easton's second try converted by stand off, Matt Reilly to make the final score 56-20. G's seconds had a great win at home to Roslyn Park 3rds with joint players of the day being Peter Moore and Leo Smith.

Next week G's are away to Hemel Hempstead 3pm kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 24th September

Grasshoppers 32 Welwyn 32

Nine Try Thriller Ends All Square

Grasshoppers welcomed Welwyn to MacFarlane Lane on a glorious afternoon and kicked off down the slope. They were soon on the rampage eventually breaking the deadlock with a try from second row, Callum McCormack which Matt Reilly converted, shortly followed by a Tom Orishaguna penalty to get G?s off to the perfect start 10-0.

G's continued to press and were rewarded again with a try from winger Shane Feely which Tom Orishaguna converted to put clear light between the sides. However, those remembering the corresponding fixture last season when G's cruised ahead 18-0 within five minutes of the start, but having to hang on in the end, knew it wasn't going to be long before the robust Welwyn forwards got going. And so it was as they moved through the gears to put pressure on G's in their 22 to be rewarded with a penalty and an unconverted try to close the gap 17-8.

G's though responded well and before half time got another try courtesy of flanker, Will Cusack which Tom Orishaguna converted to make the half time score 24-8.

The second half, with the Welwyn forwards rampaging down the slope, was a roller coaster of a half even though Tom Orishaguna slotted a penalty to make the gap 19 points at the start of it. Then Welwyn got a third, unconverted try which gave them hope of the four try bonus point. Then after some wonderful G's interplay Shane Feely got a second try to cancel that out at 32-13.

The game then swung as Welwyn went from trying to get the bonus point to trying to claim all five points and the win. And so, with two converted tries they were back within one score 32-27. Shortly after they drew level with an unconverted try and although G's pressed to take the game Welwyn left the field the happier side despite both sides taking three points each.

Next week G's are at home to Chiswick 3pm kick off.

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1st XV Match Report for Saturday 17th September 2011

Imperial Medicals 15 Grasshoppers 8

It was with high hopes of continuing their impressive start to the new season that Gs travelled the short distance to Teddington, but these were washed away by the rain that fell throughout the game.

Medicals kicked off the game and were soon applying pressure on Gs, which forced a defensive error and allowed Medicals to break away and score a try in the corner, which went unconverted after 2 minutes of play.
Medicals kept play in the Gs 22 but their defence stood firm withstanding several assaults on their line. With some clever tactical kicking Matt Reilly pushed Medicals back in to their own half, and Gs were rewarded with a well-taken penalty kick by Tom Orishaguna after 15 minutes.
Play continued to and fro and from a scrum on half way which Gs took against the head they made their way in to Medicals 22, and from a series of forward plays the ball was released to Gs backs which saw Tom Woodhouse touch down in the corner for a try which went unconverted after 20 minutes giving Gs an 8 - 5 lead.
From the restart Gs continued to maintain the pressure on Medicals, but were unfortunate when a pass was intercepted on the halfway line and run in for a converted try by Medicals on 35 minutes. Half time was reached with Gs trailing 12 - 8.

From the kick-off Medicals pressed forward and were awarded a penalty on Gs 22, which was duly kicked to extend their lead to 15 ? 8. Medicals continued to apply pressure and despite the wet conditions gave their backs plenty of ball, but they were unable to break down Gs defence, so the remainder of the half was played out with neither side creating any real scoring opportunities and the final score at 15 ? 8 to Medicals, but with Gs having the consolation of a bonus point.

Match Report by Ron Chapman.

Next week G's are at HOME to Welwyn. K.O 3pm

Match Report for Saturday 10th September

Grasshoppers 70 UCS Old Boys 24

Great Start by 10 Try Hoppers

Grasshoppers got their 2011/12 league season off to a tremendous start with an excellent all round display of running rugby. However, it was a difficult start as they played down the slope in the first half and found themselves behind to an unconverted try within two minutes. This spurred them on and they were soon in the game with a penalty from centre, Tom Orishaguna shortly followed by a try from winger, Moe Younes which was converted by Tom Orishaguna to take the lead 10-5.

Back came UCS though with another try and with the conversion they retook the lead 10-12. Then starting with another Tom Orishaguna penalty it was G?s all the way as they powered their way to a 34-12 half time lead thanks to tries from: full back, Jeremy Easton, Tom Orishaguna and second row Nathan Knight plus three conversions form Tom Orishaguna.

G's started the second half where they left off in the first and started to pile on the points starting with prop Matt Coakley a second from Moe Younes and Nathan Knight respectively, then skipper and winger, Tom Woodhouse got in on the act then Tom Orishaguna added his second rounded off with the final try from centre, Korede Okelana and punctuated with three conversions from Tom Orishaguna to take the points tally to 70.

However, it was final say to the visitors as they slipped in for two further tries and a conversion to make the final score 70-24 but picked up a valuable bonus point.

G's 2nds had a good 38-0 win away at Feltham and the 4ths won 57-5 at home to Old Millhillians.

Next week G's are away to Imperial Medics 3pm kick off

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Match Report for Saturday 3rd September

1st XV - Kidderminster 10 Grasshoppers 16
2nd XV - Kidderminster 14 Grasshoppers 15

Double Win for Hoppers on Tour

Grasshoppers travelled to Birmingham for their now regular pre-season tour and came away with two narrow wins which was an improvement on the two narrow respective losses last year. The second team were 0-15 up at half time thanks to two tries from Matt Orishaguna and one from Connor Gilmore. It was though a different story in the second half with the home side throwing everything at G's who did well to hold out for the win. The young G's side was bolstered with the almost antique experience of George Orishaguna at second row and the more junior exploits of Eddie Drew at scrum half.

The first team game was much more nip and tuck with a Tom Orishaguna penalty breaking the deadlock on twenty minutes. Then just before half time the home side got an unconverted try to take a 5-3 lead into half time.

G's played some great rugby in the second half but couldn't convert pressure into points and the game ebbed and flowed without any score being added until one glorious move in the backs saw winger Moe Younes retake the lead with an unconverted try.

Then the Kidderminster forwards took control for a brief period which resulted in a push over try from a lineout and with the conversion going wide the scoreboard moved to 10-8.

Then bring on the slick G's backs and a glorious unconverted try from centre and player of the day, Korede Okelana to retake the lead and shortly after Tom Orishaguna slotted a penalty G's stretched their lead to take the game 10-16.

Next week G's are at home to UCS Old Boys for the start of their league campaign 3pm kick off.

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Match Report for Saturday 20th August

Grasshoppers Pre-Season Cup

Grasshoppers Improve but Bourneville Take the Biscuit

Grasshoppers hosted this, now regular, pre-season tournament organised by The Church. With many visitors commenting on the excellent facilities and surroundings at MacFarlane Lane, Osterley. Grasshoppers entered two of the ten teams overall for what turned out to be an excellent day of rugby and eventually lost in the final to national side Bourneville.

Grasshoppers Head Coach, Mike Reilly, said: "This was a really encouraging day with both squads playing some well structured rugby made all the better with first squad wins against: Teddington, Windsor, Maidenhead, and Guildford" He went on to say "I'm also really pleased that our new players have jelled really well with our established players putting us in an excellent position ahead of out first league game at home to UCS Old Boys on 10th September but before that we have stiff tests against Twickenham on Thursday 25th August and on tour to Kidderminster on 3rd September".

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Match Report for Saturday 13th August

Windsor 31 Grasshoppers 19

Strong Forward Test for Grasshoppers

Grasshoppers travelled the short distance to East Berkshire to play a trial match against Windsor. With four evenly matched sessions and the Castle as a great backdrop both sides were hoping that this would set them on the right track for the league season only four weeks away.

The G's coaching team of Corne Du Rand, Peter Dymott and Zoran Higgins were keen to put their numerous new players through their paces, hoping that they will gel with the existing players.

The first session saw Windsor take control 17-7 with the G's score coming from Jeremy Easton with Mark Cunningham adding the conversion. The second session was very much cat and mouse with no scores added. G's at last got into their stride in the third session with a debut try from new winger, Moe Younes and Mark Cunningham added another conversion to bring G's within three points overall.

The fourth session saw the heavier Windsor front five take control which allowed their backs more room and were rewarded with two converted tries to bring their total to 31 but G's had the last word with Jeremy Easton claiming a second try which went unconverted to make the final score 31-19.

Next week G's are holding a 15 a side competition at MacFarlane Lane log onto www.grasshoppersrfc.com for more information.

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