Of the fixtures played on April 12th in N2N there were two Yorkshire County games and one Roses clash. Leeds Tykes celebrated their promotion to National League One with a 31-17 win over visitors Harrogate after leading by just 12-7 at half-time. They upped their game in the second half to finish with a five tries to three advantage which dropped Harrogate to the bottom spot in the table. Serameia Turagabecci, the Tykes full-back, scored tries in the 12th and 63rd minutes and also landed three conversions to win the Man-of-the-Match award for the second week in succession. This game was played on the night of April 11th before a crowd of 1064 which was the highest attendance in the Division’s penultimate weekend.
Hull Ionians entertained Otley who scored seven tries to Ionians three in a convincing 45-22 victory over what was described as “a lethargic home team who made far too many handling errors”. Otley led 17-10 at the break and continued to control game during the second period to post a good away win. The Man-of-the-Match was the Otley fly-half Eddie Crossland. Attendance 354.
The Roses clash saw Wharfedale at home to Fylde, who led 24-10 at the break before winning the game by 36-22. Fylde sccored six tries to Wharfe’s three and their fly-half Alex Clayton converted five of them. The Man-of-the Match was the Fylde prop David Fairbrother. Attendance 684.
Hull RUFC lifted themselves from the bottom spot in the table with a 29-22 home win over Tynedale who led 15-3 at the break. Just after the restart the visitors scored another try to add to their first half three and were leading by 22-3. In an astonishing come-back Hull produced their best second half of the season, scoring tries from Jake Boardman (2), Paulus Latu, and Fynlay Hobson, who also landed three conversions and a penalty goal. The Man-of-the-Match award went to Evi Uriburu-Gray. Attendance 343.
Sheffield Tigers made the long trip Billingham who made their chances of avoiding relegation much more likely when they posted a 31-28 win after leading 15-14 at the interval. They scored four tries to the Tigers three and their fly-half Peter Evans converted all of them and also landed a penalty goal. The Tigers fly-half William Baker was also in fine form with the boot, landing two conversions and three penalties. He was also named as The Man-of-the Match. Attendance 794.
Third-placed Lymm were the visitors at Lightfoot Green Lane , Preston, where the Grasshoppers gave them a very hard time, scoring five tries to six from Lymm. Lymm won the contest by 44-31 after leading 29-14 at the break. The visitors started and finished very well, scoring tries in the 1st and 3rd minutes and later in the game in the 70th and 79th minutes. The Hoppers secured a well-deserved try-scoring bonus point in their fight to avoid relegation. The Man-of-the-Match was the Lymm scrum-half Callum Morris. Attendance 403.
The league runners-up Sheffield RUFC posted a 45-20 home win over 7th-placed Chester after leading 21-13 at the interval. The Steel City side scored seven tries to two from Chester with scrum-half Elliot Fisher converting five of them. The Man-of-the-Match was the Sheffield centre Matty Drennan. Attendance 324.
The situation at the top of the table shows Leeds Tykes on 119 points, Sheffield RUFC on 106, Lymm on 93 and Fylde on 83. In the nether regions the bottom four are Billingham on 51 points, Hull on 50, Preston on 49 and Harrogate on 47.
Their are no fixtures to be played in N2N on April 19th with the last day of the season on the following Saturday, April 26th. My top four games for the final day are:
Otley (10th) v Hull (12th), Harrogate (14th) v Billingham (11th), Sheffield Tigers (9th) v Wharfedale (6th) and Chester (7th) v Preston Grasshoppers (13th).
Wherever you are enjoy your rugby.
Ferensian.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 