National 2 North League Round-Up

Of the league fixtures played in National Two North on February 24^th two were Yorkshire County derbies and two were Roses clashes. 

The first of the Roses games saw bottom side Huddersfield give fifth placed Fylde the fright of their lives at Lockwood Park, leading 15-10 at the break before losing 34-32. With 14 minutes remaining Huddersfield were leading 32-17 and then Fylde hit a purple patch, scoring converted tries in the 69^th and 71^st minutes before a 74^th minute penalty goal gave them the lead for the first time in the game.

The Field hooker Ethan Myers took the Man-0f-the-Match award after scoring one try, three conversions and Iwo penalty goals. Fylde had three players yellow-carded during the game but their final comeback in the final 14 minutes must be applauded. A gallant home side took both bonus points which they fully deserved.

Sheffield Tigers entertained Preston Grasshoppers at Dore Moor and made it five wins from six as they defeated the Hoppers by 32-26 after leading 22-12 at half-time. The Tigers scored five tries to the visitors four, giving the Hoppers both bonus points with their fourth try coming in the 78^th minute. The Tigers lock Daniel Hawksworth took the Man-of-the-Match honours.

In the Yorkshire derbies Hull RUFC surprised fourth placed Wharfedale with a well-deserved victory after leading 15-0 at the break. In a very close game both sides scored two tries but Hull had the match-winner in full-back Reece Dean who landed one conversion and three penalty goals. Two of the penalties were from just inside the Wharfe half and were magnificent efforts.

The first effort brought Dean’s points tally for Hull to 500 and by the end of the game he had brought his season’s tally to 202. This was Hull’s first win of the season against a top-four club, which was made better by never being behind in the scoring sequence. This game was also their third consecutive win.

Otley welcomed second-placed Rotherham Titans to their Cross Green ground on the day that their prop Jason Moss made his 200^th appearance for his club. However, the Titans were in no mood for sentiment and they won the game by 34-13 after leading by 15-3 after a very close first half. They scored five tries to Otley’s one, having far the better of the second-half proceedings. The Titans centre Richard Hayes was voted Man-of-the Match after scoring one try, three conversions and one penalty.

Hull Ionians finally won their first league match since October 14^th when they defeated Cheshire side Lymm 31-19 after leading 14-5 at the interval. They scored five tries to Lymm’s three in a game which eased their relegation worries. They were never behind in this game and were given an early boost to their efforts with two early tries from winger Sam Wilson in the 12^th and 23^rd minutes which were both converted by Lewis Minikin. The Man-of-the Match award went to the Ionians player-coach Joe Makin.

Sheffield RUFC consolidated their third place in the table with a very close 27-19 win over visitors Tynedale who were leading 14-12 at the break. Surprisingly, although Sheffieldscored five tries to Tyne’s three they could only convert one of them when their star place-kicker Elliot Fisher had a very rare off-day and only converted one of them. The Sheffield lock Charlie Crapper was voted Man-of-the-Match.

Finally, league leaders Leeds Tykes heavily defeated lowly Billingham scoring nine tries in a 57-13 victory after they had built up a commanding 33-6 lead by half-time. Billingham has little to offer against the Tykes onslaught, and like many other sides in the division this season had no answer the size and pace of their visitors. The Tykes right-winger Ben Turpin took the Man-of-the-Match award.

The top four placings remain unchanged with Leeds now on 99 points, Rotherham on 88, Sheffield on 75 and Wharfedale on 62. One change at the bottom sees Ionians and Billingham swap places. Preston have 38 points, Ionians 32  Billingham28 and Huddersfield 18.

Saturday March 3^rd is a blank day for N2N but three 3 catch-up games sees Huddersfield v Rotherham, Wharfedale v Tynedale and Otley v Preston Grasshoppers.

Ferensian