South outscored Preston four try's to one

South win on the road, takes them up to 7th in the table
South outscored Preston four trys to one and it was only through South mistakes and discipline that allowed Preston to kick five penalties that keep them in the game

On a wet second team pitch (Preston are having one of the RFU 4G pitches installed) Both teams cancelled each other out in a rather scrappy first-quarter in greasy conditions, with dropped balls and knock-ons aplenty.

Souths scrum was solid and their approach paid dividends after 14 minutes. Flanker Nick Cairns touched down out wide to give the visitors a 5-0 lead, Rickie Aley missing the conversion.

Rickie Aley then bagged a try on 20 min, running a hard supporting line off back row Gareth Turner, past a poor Hoppers defense.
The hosts gained their first three points via Allen’s boot but lacked that clinical end product. Hoppers tight-head Pete Altham crashed over from a driving maul, Allen failed to slot his conversion, which meant South took a slender 8-10 advantage into the break.

Allen kicked two more penalties to give Hoppers a 14-10 lead, but South soon had their noses in front again. Souths pack performed much better in the second-quarter and from the base of a scrum Gareth Turner crossed the white wash, with Aley converting. 14-17

Six more points from Allen put Hoppers 20-17 ahead. However, the home side could not hang on for a vital victory. Aley broke the gain line and Heath ran an excellent outside line to dot down in the corner with four minutes remaining.

Hoppers had a chance to win the game with a late Allen penalty, which drifted wide in what proved to be another disappointing afternoon for the hosts.

It proves yet again that games are won and lost by very fine margins, this week South were worthy of the win, just. Lots to work on for next week’s game at home to Otley 2.15 KO