Rugby Union

Preston Grasshoppers hope to put last Saturday’s defeat – only the second of the season – behind them and finish with a flourish when they host Sandal to round off their title-winning campaign in the North Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Billingham 31 Preston Grasshoppers 27

Champions Hoppers suffered their second defeat of the season against a determined Billingham side who capitalised on some lapses in defence and at times indifferent handling.

Preston Grasshoppers head coach Paul Arnold has urged his title-winning players to enjoy the final few weeks of the season.

A county wheelchair rugby player is celebrating after a big win for his team.

Preston Grasshoppers recovered from a sluggish start to rack up 57 unanswered points and put a resounding gloss on collecting the North Premier League championship trophy at the end of their 22nd victory of this impressive season.

No rest for the champions. Preston Grasshoppers, newly-crowned kings of the North Premier League, and Vale of Lune, confirmed as title-winners in North One West last weekend, are both straight back into action tomorrow.

Gareth Dyer is head of rugby operations at Preston Grasshoppers

I have always been of the view that league tables do not lie.

Preston Grasshoppers 42 Ilkley 26

Despite a determined effort by Ilkley to spoil the promotion party, Preston Grasshoppers clinched the North Premier League title – and an immediate return to National League Two North – with three matches to spare.

Preston Grasshoppers’ ability to grind out victories from losing positions is what has set them apart from the pack this season.

This proved to be the proverbial game of two halves with Hoppers coming back from what looked like an irretrievable deficit at half time.

Preston Grasshoppers return to to action after their latest Saturday off with a first league visit to Lymm, who are fourth in the North Premier League – 20 points behind their visitors.

England 15 Ireland 24

Eddie Jones made light of being booed by disgruntled supporters after England’s defeat at Twickenham that saw Ireland crowned Grand Slam champions.

Preston Grasshoppers head coach Paul Arnold is looking to sew-up the North Premier League title as quickly as possible.

Preston Grasshoppers pocketed another five points to take them within two victories of clinching promotion from the North Premier League.

After last weekend’s almost total “white-out”, it’s back to business in the promotion quests by Preston Grasshoppers and Vale of Lune.

Gareth Dyer is head of rugby operations at Preston Grasshoppers

It’s been an interesting last month in the world of rugby union.

Preston Grasshoppers’ North Premier League clash with Ilkley at Lightfoot Green on Saturday has become the latest fixture to fall foul of the big freeze.

Results of last Saturday’s rearranged matches mean that Preston Grasshoppers now need just 19 points from their remaining six fixtures to be sure of promotion straight back from the North Premier League.