Of the fixtures played on March 15th in N2N two were Yorks County derbies and two were Roses clashes. The surprise result of the day saw the bottom club in the league table take five points in the game with the third from top club.
Sheffield Tigers welcomed Otley to Dore Moor where the Tigers gave their relegation fears a boost when they posted a 38-23 win over their Yorkshire rivals after leading 31-10 at half-time. The Tigers scored five tries to Otley’s two but although the visitors took the second half by 13-8 they were never able to make up the deficit. The Tigers moved up to tenth place in the table after this bonus point win. All five tries were converted by fly-half Will Baker who also landed a penalty goal. The Man-of-the-Match was awarded to the Tigers back-rower Louis Townsend. Attendance 210.
The Tigers close neighbours Sheffield RUFC travelled to Brantingham Park where they defeated Hull Ionians by 45-6, scoring seven tries, all of which were converted, five from Elliot Fisher and two by Posa. In a game described as “a comfortable win for Sheffield, who dominated every facet of play” Ionians could only manage two penalty goals from the boot of Lewis Minikin. The Man-of-the-Match was Archie Crapper, the Sheffield lock. Attendance 230.
In a match described as “a bruising encounter” at Lightfoot Green Wharfedale posted a narrow 19-15 win over Preston Grasshoppers “in a game of fine margins and big collisions”. The Hoppers led 15-5 at the break and held the lead until the final twenty minutes, when centre Louis Verity put Wharfe ahead with a try converted by Luke Davidson. Verity was also voted Man-of-the-Match. Attendance 375.
Hull RUFC made the long journey to The Woodlands at Fylde where they were defeated by 35-13 after trailing 28-8 at the interval. Fylde scored five tries to Hull’s two, with four of the tries being converted by fly-half Will Hunt and Freddie Reader the final one. Hunt was yellow-carded during the first half before going one better when he received a red one in the closing minutes. This was Hull’s third consecutive defeat and drops them, to second from bottom in the table. The Man-of-the-Match was Fynlay Hobson the Hull full-back who also scored a try and a penalty goal. Attendance 736 – by far the largest attendance of the day in N2N
Third in the table Lymm would have expected an easy ride when bottom club Billingham turned up at Crouchly Lane but Billingham produced a display of quality not expected, scoring five tries to Lymm’s four in a 35-22 victory after leading 14-12 at the break. This win and the bonus point that went with it moved them up two places in the table. It was a surprise win for Billingham and one which will give them confidence in their four remaining games. Man-of-the-Match was Jack Reynolds, the Lymm full-back. Attendance 201.
Top of the table Leeds Tykes travelled to Hare Lane, Chester, where they scored seven tries to Chester’s Three but could only convert three of them from the boot of scrum-half Kit Keith. The Tykes were trailing 23-19 at the break before coming good in the second half to win by 41-26. Man-of-the-Match was the Leeds hooker Adam Brown. Attendance 200.
Finally, in a very close game at the Apollo Capital Stadium Harrogate, the home side gave a very good display against visitors Tynedale but lost by 33-31 after leading 21-14 at the break. Tyne scored five tries to ‘Gate’s four and the goal-kicking from both sides was also narrow with ‘Gate’s Rory Macnab landing four conversions and a penalty goal, while for Tyne Leslie landed one conversion before being injured, and Telford added three more conversions. The Man-of-the-Match was Rory Macnab. Attendance 150.
Once again there is no change at the top with Leeds Tykes now on 104 points, Sheffield RUFC are on 96, Lymm are on 82 and Fylde on 73. In the nether regions Preston are now on 46 points, Billingham are on 41, Hull RUFC are on 40. having a slightly better scoring record than Harrogate who are also on 40.
My top four fixtures for March 22nd are:
Hull RUFC (13th) vs Sheffield Tigers (10th)
Tynedale (6th) vs Hull Ionians (8th)
Wharfedale (5th) vs Lymm (3rd)
Leeds Tykes (1st) vs Fylde (4th).
Where ever you are, enjoy your rugby.
Ferensian.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 