In the N2N games played on December 14th there were two Yorkshire County derbies and one Roses clash. The fixtures produced several high-scoring results in which the prominent feature was the scores of the losing sides in some of the games.
Harrogate gave the Leeds Tykes a very good game which shows that a top four side cannot always expect an easy game against a bottom four side. The Tykes won by 47-22 after leading 26-10 at the break, scoring seven tries to the home sides four, with six of then being converted. The Tykes left-winger Eliah Chitiyo scored a hat-trick of tries and was awarded the M-o-M honours. Attendance 400.
Otley entertained Hull Ionians at Cross Green and a 71 point encounter resulted in a 36-35 home victory after Ionians had held a 18-17 interval lead. Both sides produced hat-trick players in Sam Connor, the Otley fly-half and Will Yates, the Ionians right-winger. Both sides scored five tries in a very close and entertaining game where the losing side secured both of the bonus points. The M-o-M was Sam Connor. Attendance 251.
In a bottom four clash at Dore Moore Sheffield Tigers beat fellow strugglers Billingham by 32-12 after the visitors surprisingly led 12-3 at the interval. In what was described as “a ruthless second half display” the Tigers ran in 29 unanswered points. They scored five tries to Billingham’s two with Mark Ireland landing two conversions and two penalty goals. Josh Redfern, the Tigers right-winger was awarded the M- o-M honours. Attendance 173.
Hull RUFC made the long journey to Corbridge to take on Tynedale where Tyne won “a Christmas Cracker of an encounter” by 38-17 after building up a 21-12 interval lead. they scored six tries to Hull’s three, four of which were converted. The Tyne right-winger Will Roberts scored a hat-trick and was declared M-o-M. Attendance 500.
Third-placed Lymm were hosts to tenth-placed Preston Grasshoppers and posted a 42-29 victory after leading 21-12 at the break. They scored six tries to four and all of their tries were converted by fly-half Jack Reynolds. The Lymm full-back Cal Morris took the M-0-M award. Attendance 203.
In what was described as “an enthralling encounter” league leaders Sheffield RUFC were given a tough test at Chester, despite only scoring three tries to their visitors seven. They led 20-15 at the break before losing an entertaining game by 43-31. Chester were helped by their goal kickers fly-half Morgan Bradshaw who landed two cons and two penalties, and right-winger Tomlinson who also landed two penalties. The Sheffield No8 Ryan Burrows was M-0-M. Attendance 230.
Finally, Fylde and their visitors Wharfedale produced a very close and entertaining game which Fylde won by 31-30 , scoring four tries which were equalled by Wharfe also scoring four. The game was won in the final minute when, with Wharfe leading by 30-28, The Fylde fly-half Patrick Bishop scored a penalty goal to break the Yorkshiremen’s hearts. Wharfe took both bonus points as a consolation and Patrick Bishop took the M-0-M award. Attendance 1178.
The league placings now show Sheffield RUFC, Leeds Tykes and Lymm all on 60 points in that order while Fylde have 42 points.
In the nether regions Sheffield Tigers are 11th on 25 points, Hull are 12th on 24, Harrogate are 13th on 21 with Billingham bottom on 18.
Next weekend sees 6 local derbies with 2 more local than the others;
Hull Ionians v Hull
Lymm v Chester – Cheshire derby.
Leeds Tykes v Otley – West Yorks derby
Sheffield RUFC v Sheffield Tigers
Billingham v Tynemouth – North-East derby
Preston Grasshoppers v Fylde – West Lancs derby.
The third and fourth games will be played on Friday 20th December with evening kick-offs.
Wherever you are enjoy your rugby and Compliments of the Season to you all.
Ferensian.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 