KIRKBY Lonsdale Rugby clashed with Preston Grasshoppers in their latest away fixture on Saturday.

However, the club was hit by a hard defeat after Preston scored 99 points to nil.

This makes it their third defeat in their last three matches, which only saw them score a one try.

The young lightweight Kirkby found themselves on the back foot against the resurgent Hoppers side who are themselves challenging for the league title.

The day was bright and beautiful, the artificial pitch is well suited to Grasshoppers expansive exploding fast paced style of play which they have obviously developed to take advantage of such abnormal surfaces.

Preston started at a blistering pace, stunning Kirkby with two converted tries within the first two minutes followed by a constant attacking barrage which kept the scoreboard ticking over to end the first half at 52-0.

Kirkby are renowned as a side who never give up and everyone gives everything but against opposition with Hopper’s level of superior power and pace no amount of spirit can compensate for the difference between the sides in Saturday’s game.

Kirkby put their best efforts forward but were repeated countered by their opponents.

No one had brought their kicking boots so opportunities to gain territory were lost due to feeling the pressure.
The second half was a repeat performance by Hoppers to which Kirkby had no reply
A technical yellow card looked to be the rather perverse reward for constantly infringing
In the scrum which was inevitable when comparing the weight and experience gap between the two packs.
Kirkby denied Hoppers the clear 100 point victory and earned themselves a respectful standing ovation from the Preston crowd for sticking to the task and living to fight another day.