The games played on November 25th included two County fixtures and two Roses clashes and we start with the big game of the day, indeed the season so far, between Leeds Tykes and Rotherham Titans, where the home side posted a very close 26-20 victory after leading 14-0 at the break. As expected, this match attracted the largest attendance of the day (991) who witnessed Leeds take taking an eleven point lead at the top, with Rotherham still having a game in hand. Two first half tries from the Division’s leading scorer Harry Jukes and Keiran Davies put the Tykes well on the way. Both players repeated the same in the second half, although the Titans took the second period by 20-6 in a fine come-back, with back-rower John Okafor crossing the line twice. This result will give a big boost to the promotion hopes of the Tykes, whilst the Titans will be keen to avoid any more upsets in the next fifteen weeks. The Leeds fly-half Peter Lucock was awarded the Man-of-the-Match.
Otley took on Sheffield RUFC at Cross Green in a very high-scoring game which the visitors won by 45-41 after leading 38-22 at the interval. Otley were much better in the second half out-scoring Sheffield by 19-7 but had to settle for both bonus points at the end. Both sides scored six tries with the Otley winger Sam Taylor getting three of them. The Sheffield No8 Ryan Burrows took the Man-of-the-Match award.
The first Roses match saw Hull Ionians lose 36-14 at home to a resurgent Fylde side who have won four of their last five games after a somewhat shaky start to their season. Hull Ionians were 15-7 down at the break and Fylde went on to score five tries to the Ionians two in what their match reporter described as a disappointing defeat, their fourth in succession. In a game which had been reasonably close Fylde scored three second half tries to pull away for a very good away win. Fylde hooker Ben Gregory scored two tries to make his tally for the season to twelve and was voted Man-of-the-Match.
The second Roses game resulted in a 35-22 defeat for Preston Grasshoppers as their visitors Wharfedale continued their good form after leading 14-5 at the break. Wharfe scored five tries to three in this game and were good value for their victory. The Wharfe centre Oliver Cicognini took the Man-of-the-Match award after scoring two tries.
In another high-scoring fixture Sheffield Tigers posted their sixth win of the season, running out 47-35 winners over visitors Lymm after leading 21-14 at the interval. The Tigers ran in seven tries and in the absence of star kicker Mark Ireland found an able replacement in fly-half William Baker who converted six of them. The Tigers centre James Broadley scored two tries and was awarded the Man-of-the-Match. Lymm played a full part in this entertaining game, scoring five tries, all converted by fly-half Tom Shard.
Finally, an error-ridden Hull RUFC gave a below-par performance against visitors Tynedaleat the Ferens Ground. Hull were beaten by 34-10 after trailing 17-3 at the break. Tyne scored six tries to Hull’s one and after a shaky start to the season are beginning to look like a good side. Hull must go back to the drawing board as they slipped one more place down to eighth in the league table. Josh Leslie, the Tyne fly-half took the Man-of-the-Match award after scoring two tries and one conversion.
The Huddersfield v Billingham match was cancelled after a referee’s inspection due to the Lockwood Park pitch being frozen.
There is no change at the top of the table with Leeds, Rotherham and Wharfedale leading the way. At the bottom Billingham have replaced Lymm in 12th spot on 20 points, followed by Hull Ionians on 19 and Huddersfield on 6.
The big games this coming week-end, based on league placings, are Rotherham v Sheffield Tigers where 2nd meet 4th, Lymm v Preston Grasshoppers where 11th meet 9th and Fylde v Hull RUFC where 6th meet 8th. All of these fixtures could result in place swapping in the league table.
Ferensian.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 