Grasshoppers were pipped 25-24 by Imperial Medicals in their first home league game of the season on Saturday, writes Ron Chapman.

The hosts were quick to make their mark and, after four minutes, the ball was worked inside from a line-out for a try from Stuart Daniels which he duly converted.

But, after 10 minutes, Luke Turner had to leave the field through injury and, as Grasshoppers tried to resettle, some quick passing and forward pressure led to Medics scoring an uncoverted try.

Medics failed to deal effectively with the restart and G’s again established themselves in the visitors half. The next passage of play unfortunately saw G’s unable to capitalise on their dominance and 2 penalties were missed, but they were finally rewarded when Stuart Daniels slotted a further penalty after 25 minutes.

From the restart play continued in mid-field, but with a clever kick down the line which G’s had to put into touch Medics made a rare excursion into G’s 22. From the resultant lineout, Medics put on a strong forward push and popped the ball over in the corner for another unconverted try after 30 minutes.

Play continued to be more evenly balanced and it saw the teams go into half time with the score at 10 points all.

It was Medics that were quicker out the blocks in the second half and they were awarded a penalty after only 1 minute, which they scored to take the lead for the first time.

Spurred on by this score and the benefit of the slope Medics continued to press forward, and with their backs running and passing freely, scored a converted try after 50 minutes, this was soon followed by an unconverted try after 55 minutes to take the score to 10 – 25.

However G’s did not allow their heads to drop, and despite the further set back of having Thomas Orishaguna yellowed carded, when the referee finally lost patience with both sides for continued minor infringements they defied convention, when Mike Pellowe powered over for a try after 57 minutes which Stuart Daniels again converted. Boosted by this and G’s restored to15 men they continued to press forward and control the game. They were further rewarded when again it was prop Mike Pellowe who touched down in the corner after 75 minutes, this try was again expertly converted by Stuart Daniels to bring G’s within 1 point of Medics.

G’s continued to pressurise Medics but they were unable to find the vital breakthrough, and Medics were able to hang on to win 24 – 25, but with G’s gaining a valuable bonus league point.

G’s Player of the Day – Andy Randell.

Grasshoppers visit Hemel Hempstead this Saturday.