The early stages of this match proved something of a reality check for the Greens. A robustly competitive Preston Grasshoppers team provided much sterner opposition than had been encountered at Hull Ionians, and by the end of the second of the 4 sessions the visitors had a 14-5 lead. Both Hoppers’ converted tries resulted from Wharfedale errors – first grabbing an interception try and then taking full advantage of faulty handling in a Greens’ line-out close to the home line. It could have been worse – a second interception nearly led to a third Hoppers score.

Order was gradually restored in the Dalesmen’s ranks thereafter. While far from consistently fluent, the Greens upped their game and subjected the Hoppers defence to periods of sustained pressure. Five tries were added to prop Neil Clarke’s first-session opener: a brace for Chris Malherbe, and one apiece from Joel Gill, Michael Walker-Fitton, and Mark Bedworth. Luke Gray and Joe Ford shared the 4 conversions.

The visitors added one more converted try to leave the final score at 38-21.