Saturday saw the visit of Preston 4ths to Kellet Road as Carnforth looked to continue their good start to the league season. Once again a few changes were enforced to the team - Archie Rich made his first start, Sam Griffiths came in at centre alongside Jason Short who switched from the back row, Phil Metcalfe started on the wing as Joe Harrison continued at prop.
In slippery and greasy conditions it was Hoppers who made the better start as they kept Carnforth pinned back in their own 22 for the opening exchanges. The hosts had to show their defensive skills early in the game with Liam Hall, Matti Davenport and Dan Blenkharn on top form from the back row.
Preston should have taken the lead but maybe a couple of wrong options as well as the defence kept the score at a stalemate. Carnforth broke with Jason Short, Nick Hamer, Phil Metcalfe and Mathew Short all linking but errors once again kept the scoreboard operator out of work. Hoppers again broke and their trademark forwards drive was in operation again as they drove Carnforth down the pitch 40 yards before eventually the ball came clear and Carnforth broke. Mathew Short made the initial break as he skived through the defence before offloading to Blenkharn who finished well for his 6th try of the season, Short added the extras from out wide.
Minutes later and following a break from Jason Short it was fellow centre Griffiths who was able to burst through for a try, again Mathew Short converting.
Carnforth were now enjoying plenty of the ball, Rich, Dave Hones and Griffiths all making great breaks, scrum half Donald Haddow thought he was clear but play was brought back for an earlier offence. On the stroke of the half time hooter a superb angle by Jason Short saw the centre open up the defence for his first try of the day, Mathew Short adding the 2 for a 21 interval lead.
Carnforth used their replacements wisely with Martin Pike, Adam Seaton and Sam Barlow getting game time, Steve Mallett doing the honourable thing and helping out Preston when they had injuries - thanks Steve.
Two minutes into the half and Blenkharn made a superb break through the middle of the pitch before sending the ball out to Jason Short who ran through the gap to score his second try, conversion coming back off the post.
Carnforths backs were now finding the gaps with winger Jack Dorsett, second row Sam Tomlinson and both props Harrison and skipper Shane Weed all making good ground, Dorsett almost broke for his first club try but Jason Short was on hand to pick up and drive over for his hat trick try and a well earned rest.
Griffiths was strong in the centres and he and Short linked superbly, Griffiths making another fine break to register his second try of the game with Mathew Short making the score 38 - 0. As you would expect from any Hoppers outfit - they never ever give up and their rewards came with 10 minutes to go when their centre took the ball out wide to score.
Dorsetts moment came when he received the ball on half way before he set off down the wing to out pace the defence and score his first club try - plenty more to come we hope.
With last play signalled by referee Mr Geoff Mills - it was Hamer who was able to squeeze through a gap in the defence to cut through and score under the posts, Mathew Short slotted the 2 extra point to bring up the half century and another vital 4 points.
Match Sponsor - Tile Elements.

M SHORT, J DORSETT, J SHORT, S GRIFFITHS, P METCALFE, N HAMER, D HADDOW, J HARRISON, D HONES, S WEED (CAPT), S TOMLINSON, A RICH, M DAVENPORT, D BLENKHARN, L HALL
SUBS USED - M PIKE, A SEATON, S BARLOW