National 2 North Weekly Round-Up

Of the N2N fixtures played on April 5^th two were Yorkshire County derbies and just one Roses clash. This was the fixture between Hull  Ionians and visitors Preston Grasshoppers and in a remarkable high-scoring game during which 105 points were scored, with both sides scoring eight tries the victory went to the home side by 53-52 after they led by 28-26 at the interval. Ionians were always in the lead throughout the game until the 74th minute when a try from Hoppers full-back Josh Ree gave them the lead for the first time to make the score 52-50.

From the restart Ionians regained possession and forced the Hoppers into a penalty which the ever-reliable Lewis Minikin converted, to add to the five  conversions he had already landed earlier in the game. Josh Ree scored two tries and landed six conversions for the Hoppers but the Man-of-the-Match award went to the Ionians full-back Cam Burnhill.   Attendance 274.

Lymm got back to winning ways when they defeated Sheffield RUFC at Crouchley Lane by 38-29 after leading by 14-12 at the interval. Both sides scored five tries, three of which were scored for Sheffield by their left-winger Chris Hooper. The Man-of-the-Match was the Lymm centre Roy Riddell.  Attendance 204.

Hull RUFC travelled to Harrogate on a four match losing run which stopped when they posted a vital 31-26 victory when they out-scored ‘Gate by five tries to four after leading 19-14 at half-time in a game where the lead changed hands on seven occasions. After 58 minutes of play the score was level at 26-26 but in the 66^th minute the Hull prop Tomas Bairstow scored the match-winning try to give Hull a lead they maintained until full-time. The Man-of-the-Match was the Hull full-back Finlay Hobson who scored a try and two conversions. Attendance 125.

Another side to cross the Pennines westwards were Billingham who were hoping for a fifth consecutive victory in their relegation battle when they visited Fylde at The Woodlands, but they were beaten22-12 after trailing 17-5 at the interval. Fylde scored four tries to Billingham’s three but had to battle hard for their victory. in front of the highest attendance of the day in N2N  when 847 watched the game. The man of the match was Fylde’s left winger Adam Lanigan.

Otley Travelled to Station Road , Corbridge, and were soundly beaten 54-22 by a Tynedale side who posted their biggest win of the season after leading 17-7 at half-time. Tyne ran riot during the second half and finished up their try tally with eight touch-downs to three by Otley. Isaac Keller the Tyne hooker scored a hat-trick of  tries and was duly voted the Man-of-the – Match.  Attendance 425.

Finally, congratulations must be offered to the new League Champions, Leeds Tykes, who defeated Sheffield Tigers at Dore Moor by 27-24 after being level 17-17 at the break. In what was later described as “A high-octane encounter” the Tykes had to battle all the  way to defeat a very determined and strong Tigers side who were down to fourteen men after losing No8 Tom Callandine who received a red card as early as the 

fourteenth minute. The Tykes scored four tries to the Tigers three and with the score at 24-24 in the 79^th minute draw seemed inevitable until the Tigers were penalised and the Sheffield full-back Seremaia Turagabeci kept his composure to successfully kick the goal to bring a very exciting game to an end. I am sure we all wish the new Champions the very best of luck in National League One next season.

Man-of-the-Match was Turagabeci.   Attendance 218.

Nothing has changed at the top end of the table as Leeds Tykes, Sheffield RUFC and Lymm have dominated the top three places since week one of the season. Leeds Tykes are now on 114 points, Sheffield RUFC have 101 and Lymm have 88. In the bottom group Preston Grasshoppers are on 48 points, Harrogate have 47, Billingham have 46, and despite their win over Harrogate, Hull RUFC have 45.

My top games, based on league placings, are as follows;

Wharfedale v Fylde – 6^th v 4th

Billingham v Sheffield Tigers  – 13^th v 9th

Hull  Ionians v Otley – 8^th v 10th

Sheffield RUFC v Chester – 2^nd v 7th.

Leeds Tykes v Harrogate will be played on Friday April 11^th at Headingly Stadium, kick-off 8pm.

Wherever you are, enjoy your rugby.

Ferensian.