Of the fixtures played on April 13th three were Yorkshire County derbies and 2 were Roses clashes and I will begin with the biggest shock of the day with the Fylde home win over league leaders Leeds Tykes by 18-15 after leading 15-7 at half-time. After losing by 39-36 at Hull RUFC the previous few would have imagined such a result but Fylde produced an outstanding performance to send the Tykes home with just a losing bonus point.
The biggest crowd of the day (812) saw both sides score two tries but Greg Smith landed one conversion and two penalties whilst Turagabeci landed a conversion and a penalty for the Tykes. This was a great shock to the Leeds side and puts Rotherham Titans in the driving seat as I will explain later. The Fylde back-rower Sam Parker took the Man-of-the-Match award.
Meanwhile, Rotherham Titans were enjoying a massive 67-20 home win over Preston Grasshoppers when they scored ten tries to post their 13th consecutive victory. They led 23-3 at half-time and played even better during the second period. Their goal kicker Lloyd Hayes converted seven of the tries plus one penalty and a try. The Hoppers scored three tries in the second half but missed out on a try-scoring bonus point. The Titans lock John Okafor took the Man-of-the-Match honours.
In the county derby at Wharfedale visitors Huddersfield took full advantage of the wind and slope to take a 17-14 lead by half-time before going on to lose 40-17. Wharfe scored 6 tries to Huddersfield’s two and their fly-half Robbie Davidson converted five of them and also scored two tries, but the Man-of-the-Match award went to their prop Dickenson.
Following their surprise win over Sheffield RUFC, Hull Ionians would have been full of confidence as they travelled to Cross Green to take on Otley. However, they fell behind in the 4th minute and by the break were trailing 38-17. Otley scored nine tries to five by Ionians for a final score of 55-34.Rory Gaffney, the home scrum-half was voted man-of-the-Match.
Hull RUFC travelled to Abbeydale Park to take on Sheffield RUFC who were in no mood to be beaten by both Hull sides on the trot and after leading by 17-7 at the interval the went on the post a very good win by 39-14. Sheffield scored seven tries to Hull’s two and fully deserved their victory. Hull wrer not helped by some ‘quaint’ decisions by the man in the middle including a 18 to 8 penalty count in the first half alone, but they battled well during the game. The highlight of the game for Hull was that their full-back Reece Dean created a new club record for points in a season of 257, beating a record held by James Cameron in the 2008-09 season. The Man-of-the-Match award went to the Sheffield back-rower Rob Fawdry.
Tenth met Twelfth when Lymm entertained Billingham but the home side had just the better of the exchanges, scoring five tries to four and with fly-half Thomas Shard landing four conversions and two penalties they ran out winners by 39-24 after leading by 24-10 at the interval. A very game Billingham side had to settle for a try bonus point. Shard took the Man-of-the-Match award and he really deserved it for ‘his mature and controlled game management’.
Finally, Sheffield Tigers made the long trip to Corbridge to take on Tynedale and after what was describes as ‘a cracking game’ Tyne ran out winners by 36-27. Tyne scores six tries to the Tigers three and were good value for their win, although the Tigers gave them a hard game at times.
The state of play at the top of the table shows Leeds Tykes leading the chase but now under much changed circumstances, They are now on 116 points, just 3 points clear of Rotherham Titans who are on 113. Leeds have one more game to play and Rotherham have two games remaining and both are away games to Shefffield Tigers and Billingham. The Tykes can no longer rely on their massive points scoring difference. The most points the Tykes can record is 121 whilst the Titans can finish on 121 with two four-point wins and 123 with two five-point wins. If both sides finish on 121 the Tykes have their superior scoring record to take the title.
Congratulations go to Hull Full-back Reece Dean who set up a new seasons points scoring record which James Cameron had held since the 2008-09 season. Any member who know James Cameron would agree with me that he would have been first in line to offer his congratulations to Reece. The only fixture in N2N this coming week is the re-arranged game when Sheffield Tigers welcome Rotherham Titans to Dour (sorry Dore!) Moor which should have been played on April 13th.
Ferensian.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 