Hampstead leap over hungry Grasshoppers

HAMPSTEAD boss Ali Halsall praised his men s character after they overcame a first half deficit to win away at Grasshoppers on Saturday. Hampstead looked to have it all to do when Dave Mold missed an early penalty and Grasshoppers immediately slotted a pe

HAMPSTEAD boss Ali Halsall praised his men's character after they overcame a first half deficit to win away at Grasshoppers on Saturday.

Hampstead looked to have it all to do when Dave Mold missed an early penalty and Grasshoppers immediately slotted a penalty of their own before adding an unconverted try for a handy 8-0 lead.

Dave Mold slotted a brace of penalties to ensure Hampstead kept tabs on the hosts with the scoreline 8-6 at half-time.

Grasshoppers slotted a penalty soon after the restart but Mold got his hat-trick soon after for 11-9 and Hampstead slowly started to gain the upper hand.

The visitors took the lead when scrum-half John Tocock crossed the line for a 14-11 advantage but the lead was restricted to three points when Mold's conversion was charged down.

In the final minutes Hampstead counter-attacked from deep in the 22m and Damien Naughton took full advantage of the build-up to touch down in the corner. The conversion is missed by Mold.

"It was a very close match," Halsall said. "Grasshoppers had some very good players."

"However, our superior lineout gave our backs a superb attacking option and we managed to get quick phases to exploit their big, less mobile pack. Our fitness was good and hunger for the game never wavered. The players showed good character to win."

Hampstead: Nolan, Martyr, Paul, Godding, Griffiths, Beswick, Vaneesbeck, Perkins, Tocock, Mold, Redfern, Naughton, Linklater, Quintas, Craigs, Henderson, Cowan-Dickie, Loakman.