National 2 North Weekly Round-Up

The two outstanding fixtures mentioned in the previous report were played on February 22nd and I thought it was worth while putting them on record.

Otley welcomed bottom side Billingham to Cross Green where they posted an emphatic 51-15 victory, scoring six tries to Billingham’s two and had built up a 22-10 lead at half-time.  Otley have moved up to tenth in the table as a result of this win. The Man-of-the-Match was the Otley full-back Callum Irvine, whose two tries, 3 conversions and two penalty goals brought him a match total of 22 points after an outstanding performance. Attendance 283.

In the other game Fylde inflicted a heavy defeat on Lymm in a fourth v  third clash at the Woodlands where they had a fine 45-17 win after leading 15-7 at the break. They scored six tries to Lymm’s three and sent their supporters home in a good mood. In a good day for full-backs, Fylde’s Freddie Reader ran in three tries and left-winger Adam Lanigan crossed the line twice. Fylde would have given up hopes of promotion some time ago having now lost 8 matches. Lymm have been in touch with the leaders throughout the season but have now lost their last three games, against Otley by 31-7, against Tynedale by 47-33 and now to Fylde by 45-17. This, following their fine opening unbeaten run of 15 games.

I understand that they have suffered an injury crisis just recently but they have probably fell too far behind Leeds Tykes and Sheffield RUFC in the title race. The Man-of-the-Match was Fylde’s left winger Andrew Lanigan.  Attendance 711. 

The top four places in the league table are unchanged but Lymm are now nine points adrift of Sheffield RUFC.  At the bottom Otley’s big win has moved them from twelfth to tenth and the bottom four are now Hull RUFC, Sheffield Tigers, Harrogate and Billingham in that order.

My top four matches, for March 1st, based on league placings, are:
Chester (7th) v Otley (9th), Fylde (4th) v Tynedale (6th), Hull Ionians (8th) v Wharfedale (5th), Sheffield Tigers (12th) v Harrogate (13th).

Wherever you are, enjoy your rugby.

Ferensian.