Of the games played on March 22nd in N2N two were Yorkshire County derbies and two were Roses clashes.
Hull RUFC welcomed Sheffield Tigers to the Ferens Ground where the visitors won close game by 29-21 after leading 17-15 at half-time. Hull made a strong start to the game with tries from Hobson and Harding and after 30 minutes were leading by 15-3. Tigers then hit back with tries from Baker and Broadley, both converted by Baker to take a lead that they never lost for the remainder of the match. Two more tries in the second half from Monks and Archer, plus a conversion and a penalty goal gave them a good away win, whilst Hull could only increase their score with another penalty goal. This result put Hull to the bottom of the table as Billingham and Harrogate both won their games. The Hull full-back Fynlay Hobson scored one try, one conversion and three penalty goals, for a total of sixteen points. The Man-of-the-Match was he Sheffield Tigers fly-half . Attendance 210.
League leaders Leeds Tykes won a convincing 35-15 victory at home to Fylde when they scored six tries, plus a penalty try. Full-back Turagabeci converted four of the tries. The visitors were out-played by the forward-oriented Tykes who led 21-12 at the break. The Man-of-the-Match award went to the Tykes No8 Eddie Brown. Attendance 421.
Otley entertained Harrogate at Cross Green where the visitors posted a very good 24-17 win after leading 24-14 at the break. ‘Gate scored four tries to Otley’s two and the only score in the second half was a Rowntree penalty goal for Otley. This was an important 5 point win for ‘Gate and lifted them from the bottom place in the table. The Man-of-the-Match was Steve Maycock, the ‘Gate hooker. Attendance 523.
Second-placed Sheffield RUFC were far too strong for visitors Preston Grasshoppers as they scored six converted tries to the Hoppers two. Sheffield won by 40-18 after leading 28-13 at the break. They were well-led by the Man-of-the-Match scrum-half Elliot Fisher who scored three tries and landed five conversions. Attendance 425.
Hull Ionians made the long journey to Corbridge to take on Tynedale who had what was describes as “a woeful first half” as they trailed by 27-7 at the break before losing by 33-28. Tyne scored four tries to Ionians three, who once again had to give thanks to their fine goal-kicker Lewis Minikin, who as well as scoring a try also landed three conversions and four penalty goals, for a personal tally of 23 points. Minikin rightly deserved the Man-of-the-Match award. Attendance 525, the highest of the day in N2N.
Billingham followed up their away win at Lymm last Saturday with a 29-23 home win over Chester after trailing 13-12 at the break. They scored five tries to two from Chester who were leading 23-22 on the 73rd minute when the Billingham left-winger Joe Ross scored a converted try to win the game for his club. The same player was awarded the Man-of-the-Match honours. Attendance 446.
Last, but certainly not least, Wharfedale posted a very convincing 44-27 home win over Lymm after leading 27-20 at the break. They scored seven tries to four from Lymm. In a match where “there was some fast and open rugby played by both sides, with the Wharfedale backs having the edge with slick passing and fast pace”. The Wharfe lock Zeb Hayes was declared the Man-of-the-Match. Attendance 512.
The situation at the top of the table remains unchanged with Leeds Tykes now on 109 points, Sheffield RUFC have 100, Lymm have 83 and Fylde on 73. In the nether regions Billingham have climbed to 11th place with 46 points, Preston Grasshoppers also have 46, Harrogate have 45 and Hull RUFC, who have now lost their last four matches are bottom on 40 points.
There are no fixtures for March 29th in N2N with all sides having played 23 of their 26 games.
My top four, based on league placings, to be played on April 5th, are as follows;
Harrogate (13th) v Hull RUFC (14th), Lymm (3rd) v Sheffield RUFC (2nd), Chester (7th) v Wharfedale (5th), Tynedale (6th) v Otley (9th).
Wherever you are, enjoy your rugby.
Ferensian.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 