Following on from the creditable defeat to runaway league leader Altrincham last week, RI travelled over the Pennines again to face Preston Grasshoppers. Preston are always a good team to play against and today was to be no exception.
Preston started brightly by turning the ball over from RI shortly after kickoff and then keeping possession for a good spell within the RI 22. Eventually the deadlock was broken by the useful looking left winger from Preston scoring in the corner to give the hosts a 5-0 advantage. The conceded try seemed to wake up RI who immediately put strong pressure on in the Preston 22 and good possession by the forwards eventually gave Ruth Laybourn the chance to dart around the outside for a converted try. 5-7.
Preston regained their advantage quickly with number 10's good run giving excellent field position for a blind side move allowing the left winger to score in the corner again. 10-7. Preston then extended their lead with a trademark RI move - deciding not to defend against the quick-tap penalty to go 15-7 ahead. The pattern for the match was emerging with Preston dominating possession and RI making quick breaks whenever they got the chance.
The back and forth game then resumed with regular fullback, Anna Coombs, playing on the wing today, making a superb jinking run through the defence and then having the pace to get to the line. Ruth's conversion made the half-time score 15-14 and RI were still in a strong position.
The second half started as the first finished, one of the RI speedsters darting through a hole in the defence to go 70 metres to score under the posts - nice one Ruth! 15- 21. RI kept making breaks when in possession but Preston were determined to keep the ball and the pressure told with another try near the posts. 20 - 21. Preston snatched back the lead following some good phases after a 5 metre penalty against RI. 25 - 21. The Preston no 8 then stretched the lead with a good drive over from short range to give RI lots of work to do in the final few minutes.
RI battled back in an attempt to salvage the match and Ruth Laybourn brought the score close with a trademark break, sprint and a gorgeous step which left the Preston fullback sat on the floor. Sadly the referee blew for full time and so Preston won 30 -28. RI's forward of the match was Jenny Harvey, back of the match was Anna Coombs but everyone gave a good performance and with a little luck the result would have been better.