HOPPERS secured the expected victory to condemn visitors Lichfield to relegation and the defeat of third-placed New Brighton means that only Stourbridge now stand between the Lightfoot Green side and their elusive goal of promotion.

At first glance the scoreline looks impressive, but many Hoppers supporters left the ground disappointed, knowing that the victory margin should have been greater.

With 39 points on the board and half an hour to play, Hoppers failed to press home their advantage, throwing away chance after chance.

If the title is decided on points difference, Saturday's second half display may well prove costly.

The way to victory was clear as early as the fourth minute when Gary Monaghan ripped open the visitors' defence, beating three men on his way to the line.

A quickly taken penalty by John Bleasdale provided the opening for Josh Williams to crash over for Hoppers' second try.

Sadly for Hoppers, Rob Smith was not on kicking form and both conversion opportunities were wasted.

Acting skipper Michael Lough was the next try scorer with Smith making it 20 points in as many minutes when scoring Hoppers' fourth.

Again the extra points went begging as Gary Monaghan's efforts failed to gain any height.

Lough then claimed a second try following a line-out. This time Smith was able to add the conversion.

As half-time approached over-elaboration when trying to run the ball from their own 22 cost Hoppers dearly as the visitors claimed the loose ball to put winger Bennion in at the corner.

Two further tries early in the second half for Monaghan and Ian Ashton got the show back on the road, one conversion from Smith making the lead 34 points.

The next half hour is best glossed over as Hoppers wasted abundant possession with poor support play on some occasions and a failure to make the final pass when support was there.

It was only in the final minute that John Chesworth's persistence brought an eighth try and presented replacement Martin Emmett with a simple conversion.

The final score was Grasshoppers 46 Lichfield 5.

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