Two crucial early injuries undoubtedly upset the home game plan but few players can look back on their individual performances with satisfaction. Jamie Broadley sustained a nasty knee injury in the 4th minute and the necessary back adjustments resulted in 2 wingers playing in the centre for Harrogate.

Preston had gone offside in the injury incident and, from the ensuing penalty, Harrogate set up a forward drive from which prop, Simon Davies scored.

Hoppers narrowed the gap with an Alex Zavallis-Roebuck penalty but the quality of the game deteriorated with basic errors from both sides. It was the visitors’ first game for 6 weeks so there was more excuse for their rustiness.

After 27 minutes, Harrogate’s try scoring prop, Davies had to leave the field with a neck injury and Harrogate’s scrummaging suffered thereafter. Penalties were awarded to both sides and Harrogate added to their problems by repeatedly missing touch from these kicks. On the stroke of half time, Zavallis-Roebuck kicked another penalty to give Hoppers a 5-6 lead at the break.

The second half started with further attacking errors from both teams. However, home centre, Danny McGee charged down an attempted Preston clearance and the ever dangerous Steve Parsons pounced on the loose ball. He broke the 1st tackle and sprinted 40 metres to score near the posts and give Mike Aspinall a straightforward conversion.

With 15 minutes remaining, Preston mounted spirited attacks but the home defence held firm. Second row, Jake Brady worked tirelessly all game supported by Tim Heaton and Ben Sowerey. Stand-off, Dickie Davies was the pick of the Harrogate backs and there was a welcome cameo appearance at the end from replacement flanker, Dan Harland.

A penalty goal from Hoppers’ replacement stand-off, Mark Edwards, was the final score of the match and both sides will have been glad to get this performance out of their systems and look forward to next week.

Harrogate: Smithies, Harris, Broadley (Robinson 4 then Wickham 64)), McGee, Parsons, D Davies, Aspinall, Browne (Harland 67), Yorke (Hannan 49), S Davies (McMillan 27), Spencer, Brady, Sowerey, Heaton, Lewis.

Preston Grasshoppers: McKenna, Taylor, Hughes, Thomas, Williams, Zavallis-Roebuck (Edwards 55), Ball, Hanson, Sands, Irving, Rigbye, Steel, Pearson, Cunningham, Davey.

Referee: Mark Jackson (London)