Grasshoppers secured a valuable victory after London New Zealand missed a last-gasp conversion at Acton on Saturday.

The hosts were quickly 6-0 up before Grasshoppers sprung to life, led by player of the day Henry Montgomery-Smith. This led to a pushover try for flanker Zoran Higgins with Tom Orishaguna’s conversion putting them 7-6 up.

Shortly afterwards, Higgins scored a second pushover try but Grasshoppers’ try was short-lived as a converted try and a penalty saw the hosts lead 16-12.

However, Grasshoppers again came off the ropes and, after Orishaguna kicked a penalty, they retook the lead with a try from stand-off Matt Reilly. Orishaguna’s conversion made it 22-16 at half-time.

The second half saw both sides throw everything at each other but, despite dominating play, Grasshoppers failed to add to the total.

London NZ had the last word when a try brought them within a point but the conversion attempt went narrowly wide.

Grasshoppers host St Albans this Saturday (2.15pm).