Loughborough Students clinched a National Two play-off berth with an excellent 32-10 win at Preston Grasshoppers.

Macclesfield won 40-12 to seal the title and, with Caldy triumphing 29-25 at Bradford & Bingley, nothing less than a win would suffice for Students.

They delivered the goods with a victory that sets up a showdown with Rosslyn Park on Saturday. Crucially, Students have home advantage through a better points record.

Head coach Dave Morris said: "It was a great win. The first half was terrific in terms of controlled possession and territory.

"Preston defended for their lives and we were only 12-0 up at half-time. You have to give them credit for getting back into the game but we got through it. We rotated the squad and bought in some fresh faces from those who played in the win at Westoe. Those who came in gave us fantastic energy.

"It has been a real squad effort. We have kept alive our dream of promotion to National One North."

Students notched four tries and Matthew Keville added 12 points with the boot.

Jeremy Cunnew scored a try after 26 minutes and Frederick Silcock added a second.

Keville converted that score to give a 12-10 half-time advantage, although Preston gave the visitors a scare by grabbing a try shortly after the break.

Two Keville penalties extended the lead and, when Charles Matthews crossed and the fly-half converted on 66 minutes, Students were 25-5 to the good.

Camilo Parilli ensured the bonus point with seven minutes to go, Keville again slotting the conversion. A late consolation try from Preston could not take the gloss off.

Leicester Lions rounded off their season with a 31-24 success at Huddersfield. They bagged tries through Steve Cross, Lee Dyment, Jon Boden, Gareth Collins and Ben Walker. Boden added three conversions.