Our Weekly National 2 North Round-up

The four fixtures played on February 3^rd were all catch-up games from the week-end of January 20^th when most of the pitches in the North of England were frozen over. The day produced three county derbies but we start with the one remaining game which saw Wharfedale entertain Billingham.

Wharfedale won this game with ease by 31-7 after leading 14-0 at half-time. They scored five tries to Billingham’s one, of which three were converted. The Dalesman were dominating proceedings through their forwards and although Billingham played some good rugby at times they were unable to match Wharfe’s clinical finishing.  Wharfe also showed the strength of their subs bench when they brought on Josh Burridge and Harry Bullough who both scored tries in the final quarter of the game. Prop Jake Armstrong, who was outstanding for the Dalesmen and scored their second try was voted Man-of-the-Match.

Hull RUFC took on Leeds Tykes at the Ferens Ground and conceded a try within 12 seconds after a towering kick-off was allowed to bounce, enabling the chasing Leeds players to force a touch-down. The tries came at regular intervals for the Tykes who ran in three more tries to set up a 24-3 lead by the interval. They were even more ruthless during the second period, running in another six tries as they proved far too fast for the Hull side. Yet, during that period the home side scored three very good tries, despite losing two players with serious leg injuries. The final score of 58-22 reflected the Tykes overall superiority, but also the never-say-die attitude of Hull during the game. Keiran Davies, the Tykes full-back ran in a hat-trick of tries to be awarded the Man-of-the-Match honours, which he fully deserved.

Hull Ionians lost their tenth consecutive game when visiting Sheffield Tigers won a very close contest by 26-25 after leading 20-15 at the break. They scored three tries against the Tigers two and played some of their best rugby in recent weeks but were let down by some slack discipline which allowed the Tigers goal-kicker Will Baker to land four penalty goals, which added to his two conversions gave him a 16-point tally and the Man-of-the-Match award. Ionians came so close in this game as theyfought back to make the score 26-25 with ten minutes remaining, but the Tigers held their narrow lead to take their win.

Finally, the game between Otley and Huddersfield saw the home side post their highest-ever league victory against their visitors when the won the game by 48-28 following a very close first half which they took by 24-21. Otley scored seven tries to Huddersfield’s four and with Gavin Stead converting six of them were good value for their victory ’Field scored a 77^th minute try to secure the losing bonus point and with fly-half Wilson converting all four it was well deserved. The Man-of-the-Match award went to Ryan Gibson the Otley hooker.

Leeds Tykes are now on 84 points at the top of the table followed by Rotherham Titans on 73 points with a game in hand. Sheffield RUFC have 66 points and are well clear of Fylde who have 55. At the bottom Huddersfield have 14 points, Billingham are on 23 points and the Hull Ionians losing bonus point moves them above the Durham side on 24, nine behind Lymm on 33.

This week-ends top games, based on league placings, sees 9^th place Hull RUFC v 10^th placed Preston Grasshoppers, 12^th placed Hull Ionians v 13^th placed Billingham and 4^th placed Fylde v 2^nd placed Rotherham Titans.

Ferensian.