Preston Grasshoppers made it three wins from three in National Two North

A devastating first-half display set up Preston Grasshoppers for a third successive National Two North win, despite a spirited comeback by previously unbeaten Harrogate, writes PAUL OUTHWAITE.

Head coach Dan Orwin said: “That was up there with the best I have seen here from us. The first half was phenomenal and I want to see more of it.

“We moved the ball well and got a dominant performance in the first half.

“We never really got going in the second and it was inevitable they would put us under pressure, but if you had told me we would take five league points at home against Harrogate, I would have taken it.”

Sam Freeman set his side on their way with an early penalty and they had secured the four-try bonus point within half an hour, adding two more touchdowns before the break.

Scott Richardson and Mark Jennings both scored two tries after some stunning attacking play.

Jacob Browne added the fifth to round off another long-range assault and Jennings completed his hat-trick after excellent passing and support play.

The centre’s efforts won him the man-of-the-match award as his coach added: “He has added extra layers and experience to the side.”

He has also shored up the midfield defence alongside Sammy Russell and, in the opening game, Ben Haigh.

Hoppers rang the changes at the start of the second half and lost their composure and discipline a little, suffering a 10-1 penalty count against them.

That was in addition to picking up yellow cards for Rory Brand, Jennings and Tom Ailes in the closing stages.

“Was our discipline so bad?” mused Orwin and, indeed, some of the decisions seemed harsh.

Nevertheless, the penalty count helped Harrogate to record four converted tries from Greg Minikin, Tom Steene, Matt Leatham and Sam Gott, earning them a bonus point.

There was only another well-constructed try from Ailes by way of reply, but there was no doubt about the power and flair of Hoppers’ performance, especially in the first 40 minutes.

They sit deservedly in third place in National League Two North at this early stage of the campaign.