AFTER their relatively easy win last week against Liverpool St Helens, Hoppers found Yorkshire club Morley a much sterner test.

Although sharing eight tries, Hoppers fell prey to the kicking prowess of ex-Wales fly-half Colin Stephens who kicked seven out of eight attempts including a drop goal late in the game which sealed the result.

Hoppers started well and went seven points ahead in the first minute when Paul Bailey seized on the home full back's mistake to score under the posts, also adding the conversion.

After five minutes, Morley reduced the gap to two points with a try from winger Whata and ten minutes later after a succession of poor line-outs from the visitors, went ahead with a try from flanker Field, converted by Stephens.

In the 18th minute, the home scrum half received a yellow card and Hoppers took advantage with a try by skipper Richard Morton, converted by Bailey.

Stephens regained the lead with a 22nd minute penalty but Hoppers had the last word in the first period with an unconverted try from Chris O'Toole which put them 19-15 up at the break.

A defensive lapse let centre O'Hare in under the posts, Stephens once more converting to put Morley back in front 22-19. Hoppers' resonse was immediate when new French signing Mathieu Naddeo linked with Sam Houston who scored in the corner. The conversion failed but Hoppers were back in front by two points. Stephens kicked his second penalty to regain the lead and at 25-24 the game was anybody's.

The referee then intervened and, following a flare up among the forwards, arbitrarily singled out Hoppers lock Josh Williams, just on as a replacement, for 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Morley took full advantage, Stephens kicking his third penalty before lofting a superbly weighted cross kick which gave Whata the easiest of run-ins for his second try.

With Williams back on the field, Hoppers rang the changes, bringing on Michael Lough and Dave Chadwick but Stephens had the last word with a well-taken long drop goal to give the home team a 14 point victory margin.

Final score: Morley 38 Preston G'hoppers 24