Of the fixtures played on March 16th three were Yorkshire County derbies and just one a Roses clash.
The first County derby saw second-placed Rotherham Titans travel to the Ferens Ground to take on eighth-placed Hull RUFC who gave them a hard time during the first half to lead 17-14 at the break. As is usual just lately the Titans are becoming adept in the art of second-half come-backs and this game was no exception as they scored another five tries to win the game by 47-29. Hull battled gamely throughout and got their reward with tries in the 75th and 80th minutes to become one of the few clubs to take a try-scoring bonus point against the Titans, which they richly deserved. In a very entertaining game before a crowd of 342 the Titans scored seven tries to Hull’s four with the Hull fly-half Harrison Astley taking the Man-of-the-Match award.
Bottom side Huddersfield were at home to third-placed Sheffield RUFC who dominated the first half to lead 24-5 at half-time. In a much more evenly-contested second period both sides scored two tries for a final score of 36-15 to the visitors. The former Huddersfield right-winger Cameron Catleugh scored twice against his old club during the first half and the Man-of-the-Match was awarded to him.
The third County derby was at Dore Moor where Sheffield Tigers defeated Wharfedale by 20-18 after leading by 10-3 at the break. In a dramatic finish and with the score at 20-6, Wharfe scored two very late tries in the 78th and 89th minutes but could only convert one of them to deny themselves of a share of the spoils. The Tigers full-back Will Baker took the Man-of-the-Match award.
The only Roses game resulted in tenth–placed Otley giving a very fine display to provide the shock result of the day when they defeated fifth-placed Fylde by 46-22 after leading 21-5 at the interval. They scored six tries to Fyldes’s four, five of which were converted. Clark Wells, the Otley centre, took the Man-of-the-Match award after scoring two first half tries.
Preston Grasshoppers won a very close game against struggling Billingham by 26-22 after trailing 17-10 at the break in a penalty-strewn game at Lightfoot Green Lane, Preston. Billingham scored three tries to the Hoppers two but their very poor discipline allowed the Hopper’s fly-half Will Hunt to land four penalty goals to his two conversions. Billingham took a losing bonus point home with them and the Man-of-the-Match was the Preston scrum-half Joe Harrison.
Hull Ionians were at home to Tynedale hoping to lift themselves out of the bottom three but despite scoring four tries they conceded five in a 36-26 defeat after trailing 21-14 at the interval. Their fly-half and kicker, Kirk, could only land three conversions whilst the Tyne kicker, Josh Leslie, landed four which added to a penalty goal proved to be the telling difference between the two sides. The Ionians scrum-half James Thompson was awarded the Man-of-the-Match honours. The home side secured a try-scoring bonus point to keep them level on league points with Billingham.
Finally, league Leaders Leeds Tykes were in a merciless, promotion-seeking mood, when they defeated visitors Lymm by 78-17 after leading by a massive 54-0 at half-time. The Tykes ran in eleven tries, scored by nine different players, nine conversions, and were 32-0 ahead after the first 20 minutes. Lymm, although outclassed never gave up the battle and scored two second half tries. The largest crowd of the day (539) went home very satisfied with what they had witnessed in preparation for next week’s big game with Rotherham Titans. The Tykes No8 Edward Brown was voted Man-of-the-Match.
The leading positions at the top of the table are still Leeds Tykes on 108 points with Rotherham Titans on 103. Sheffield RUFC now have 81 points and Wharfedale 68. In the nether regions, Huddersfield are still on 18 points, Hull Ionians are on 33 as are Billingham but with a slightly better scoring difference. Both sides are now 9 points behind Lymm who have 42 points.
Next week’s fixtures see the top match being the probable Championship decider when Rotherham Titans and Leeds Tykes clash at Clifton Lane, Rotherham. Just five points separate the two sides and if the Tykes take the win, plus a bonus point, they will be ten points clear at the top. If the Titans take the five points they will be level on league points but with a massive deficiency in scoring points of 182 points. Both sides have four remaining games to play. In the corresponding game The Tykes won by 26-20, taking all five points.
All roads lead to Clifton Park this Saturday for what will definitely be the match of the season!!
Other top games (according to league placings) are Billingham v Huddersfield where twelfth play fourteenth; Tynedale v Hull RUFC where sixth play eighth and Lymm v Sheffield Tigers where tenth take on seventh.
Ferensian.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 