The National 2 North season drew to a close on Saturday, April 27 and the fixture list contained three Yorkshire derbies and just one Roses clash.
After trailing Leeds Tykes for 24 weeks, the Rotherham Titans were promoted as champions following a 40-26 win at struggling Billingham. The visitors led 26-19 at the interval as Billingham surprised the Titans with a display that belied their lowly league position to hold the champions to just five tries.
The four tries they scored earned them a bonus points which ensured their place in the league for another season. Titans centre Lloyd Hayes scored a try, three goals and three penalties to take the man of the match award. His goal kicking went a long way to give Rotherham the win they needed as the biggest crowd of the day (1,002) certainly got value for money.
Leeds Tykes we’re given a very hard time by third-placed Sheffield RUFC, with the Tykes winning a high-scoring contest 47-42. It was almost a remarkable comeback by Sheffield, who trailed 42-14 at half-time. Leeds scored seven of their eight tries in a rampant first half before Sheffield. Ran in three more tries after the interval. Goal kickers on both sides were in great form with Callum Irvine taking the man of the match award by landing all his conversions.
In a thrilling contest at the Ferens Ground, Hull RUFC won another high-scoring encounter by a narrow margin when they beat Otley 37-36. The home side led 31-17 at the break but Otley outscored their hosts by five tries to four.
Reece Dean’s goal kicking was pivotal in Hull’s win. The full-back converted all four conversions and added three penalties to real another of a James Cameron’s long-standing club records. Dean finished the campaign with 103 successful kicks, two more than the previous record set in the 2008/09 season. Hull’s victory also completed a league double over Otley, who they beat 32-27 on the opening weekend of the season.
Hull Ionians also ensured their league status for next season with a club record-breaking 94-26 win over relegated Huddersfield. hull Ionians led 40-21 after 40 minutes and they ended the game with 14 tries scored. Full-back Lewis Miniken accounted for 49 points from five tries and 12 conversions to take home the man of the match award. Their survival depended on Wimbledon’s result at Dorking. Working’s 26-19 win meant Wimbledon were relegated and Billingham and Hull Ionians stay in National 2 North.
In the only Roses clash of the day, Sheffield Tigers beat Fylde 21-15 at Dore Moor. After a level first half, the Tigers scored three tries to Fylde’s two to take the win. Tigers’ number eight Tom Calladine claimed the man of the match award.
Fourth-placed Wharfedale ended their season on a high note with a 59-31 home win over Lymm after leading 28-17 at the break. Wharfedale scored nine tries to Lymm’s four in a match described as ‘an end of season spectacular.’ Wharfedale full-back Robbie Davidson scored two tries and six conversions to take the man of the match award.
Last, but by no means least, Preston Grasshoppers and Tynedale put on a very entertaining and very exciting finale to their seasons in a very close game. Tynedale came out on top 36-35 after leading 19-14 at the break.
Both sides scored five tries and although Ed Keohane converted all five for Preston, Tynedale kicker Josh Leslie converted four and a late match-winning penalty. Tynedale centre Evan Furlow was named man of the match.
So, at the end of the season, Rotherham’s Richard Hayes was the leading points scorer with 327 with Lewis Minikin second on 287 and Reece Dean third for Hull RUFC on 274 points.
Samuel Taylor was the league’s leading try scorer with 24, three ahead of Sheffield’s Elliott Fisher and Fylde’s Ben Gregory.
Many congratulations to Rotherham Titans on their promotion who never gave up their chase of Leeds, finally overtaking them in the final weeks of the season. Commiserations to Leeds on just missing out after leading the league for 24 rounds. We will see you next season.
Congratulations also to Billingham and Hull Ionians on retaining their National 2 North status for next season. We look forward to facing you both again next season.
On a personal note, I just want to say I have enjoyed compiling these notes each week and I hope you have enjoyed reading them. Have a great summer and we’ll return for another season in September.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 