Big Weekend along the M62 in National 2N

Round 23 in the National Two North saw more tension and drama slowly bubbling to the surface. Ampthill stayed two clear at the top as Hull Ionians saved a five point win, Sedgley Park took a big step towards a top three finish whilst Hull moved out of the relegation zone.

Here is what happened last weekend in National Two North as well as preview of Round 24’s action:

Ampthill and District 45-29 Luctonians
This was a topsy turvey afternoon in Milton Keynes as Ampthill scored seven tries and the Luctonians scored five. Ampthill commanded the game throughout with Darrell Dyer scoring a hat-trick, but the Luctonians battled hard for 80 minutes and thoroughly deserved their losing bonus point.  All this means that Ampthill still have a two point lead at the top of the league table, but Hull Ionians still have a game in hand. Down at the bottom, the Luctonians are now just one point from safety.

Preston Grasshoppers 24-29 Hull Ionians
Hull Ionians just about came away from Lightfoot Green with a five point win after been pushed all the way by Preston Grasshoppers. The visitors controlled proceedings for most of the match, but struggled to break down Preston’s resilient defence so had to use their set-piece to get the points on the board.  In contrast Hoppers looked dangerous whenever they had the ball and scored three wonderful tries with two starting in their own 22 from turnover ball. Preston led 17-10 at the break but the I’s took control in the second half and raced into a 17-29 lead.  The Hoppers didn’t give up easily and came within a try of levelling the game up, but the I’s held on for an important victory in this title race.

Birmingham and Solihull 21-25 Chester
Birmingham and Solihull dropped into the relegation zone after this narrow defeat to Chester. It was heartbreak for the Bees as they watched Chester’s Rhys Hayes score a last gasp try to snatch three vital league points away from the hosts. The was even throughout with Birmingham and Solihull leading 21-18 with just two minutes to go, but Hayes’ try and conversion left the Bees with just a losing bonus point.

Otley 26-26 Caldy
Caldy left Cross Green with three valuable away points, but it could well have been more. Caldy let a 14 point lead slip in the final quarter of the match and they will feel it was a chance missed for them to go third in the table. Otley showed great character once again on home soil to turn this deficit around as Freddie Watson’s and Matthew Heaton’s tries earned their side a draw.
Reaction
Caldy Manager Gareth Davies: “Given the injuries we had and the strength of this Otley side we probably should be pleased with a 3 point haul from such a tough away fixture but we shouldn’t let a 14 point lead slip away. We are disappointed, in truth we should have taken 5 points from this game and with Chester winning at Birmingham Solihull we may have slipped a place in the league”

Sedgley Park 43-25 Harrogate
Sedgley Park were the real winners this weekend in the race for that third place spot as they picked up all five points against Harrogate on Saturday afternoon. Harrogate had to make seven changes before this game due to injuries, but they were still very much in the match until two late converted tries form Sedgley put the game beyond them.  If Harrogate had had those players available, this match certainly could have ended differently. They still do have two games in hand which could well be enough for them to secure third place.
As for Sedge, they are on a roll at the minute. This was their third straight win but despite the score line, they felt they could have played better and will look to improve ahead of the Luctonians match this weekend.

Broadstreet 25-21 Huddersfield
Broadstreet ended Huddersfield’s 100 per cent start to 2015 by turning around a 13 point deficit in the second half. A string of Field penalties had Broadstreet trailing 3-16 at the break but they made the crucial breakthrough early in the second half through Ben Cooper. Mike Worthington crossed on 56 minutes and skipper Jack Gibbons struck again four minutes later. Field hit back through Austen Thompson to make for a tight finish but Street saw it out to take another step away from any relegation trouble.

Stockport 19-48 Stourbridge
Stourbridge ran in seven tries against Stockport, but this was another positive home performance by the league’s bottom club. Port had lost this reverse fixture 62-7 earlier in the season so this was a vast improvement on that result. However,  Stour were composed, hard working in defence and played the phases in attack to create front-foot ball as they dominated the collision area, turning pressure into try scoring opportunities. The bonus point victory leaves them with a nice cushion ahead of the relegation zone.

Hull 27-0 Leicester Lions
This was arguably the result of the weekend as Hull are now out of the relegation zone on matches won after this result. (Hull have won seven games to Birmingham and Solihull’s six.)This was just Hull’s fourth win at home this season, but their second win overall in their last five games which has been vital considering the teams around them have dropped points. As for Leicester Lions, they have won just once away from home since October.

Round 24 Preview
Stourbridge v Ampthill and District
Ampthill just keep getting their job done at the minute. All they need to do is keep getting the results and hope Hull Ionians slip up along the way. Ampthill travel to Stourbridge this weekend looking to do all they can before Hull Ionians play that all important game in hand next weekend away at Stockport. Ampthill have won four of their last five matches and have won seven away games this season.
As for Stourbridge, they are in good form at the minute having won three of their last four matches. This could well be down to their injured players coming back into the side as they certainly look like a stronger team. They have won six times at Stourton Park this season and they were beaten 44-12 in the reverse fixture against Ampthill earlier in the season.


Leicester Lions v Hull Ionians
I think it is probably fair to say that Hull Ionians may have been worried at half-time against the Preston Grasshoppers last Saturday when they were 17-10 down. However, they did show great character to achieve the five point win and keep the gap at two points at the top of the table. It is still Hull Ionians’ title to lose and they could head into March top of the table if they beat Leicester this weekend and Stockport next Saturday. In terms of this weekend, The I’s have lost just three times in 38 National Two North matches and have won seven games away from home this season.
As for Leicester, they have won just three times in 2015 and dropped to 10th on the weekend after their defeat to Hull. They have won nine times at home this season, which included a win against Ampthill, so they can’t be under-estimated heading into this weekend.  Leicester did lose 0-38 in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Chester v Preston Grasshoppers
Chester’s win against Birmingham and Solihull kept them in third place in the table and that was helped by Caldy and Otley drawing too. Chester still lead the way, in terms of third place, with seven games to go but know that Harrogate have two games in hand over them so Chester must keep getting the results. This weekend they welcome Preston Grasshoppers to Hare Lane. Chester have won nine of their 12 matches at home this season and have lost just twice in their last six matches overall.
As for Preston, they really have turned a corner in recent weeks. After five straight defeats, the Hoppers have won three of their last six games and put in a valiant display against Hull Ionians last weekend.  They are currently 11 points clear of the relegation zone and will be hoping to clinch their fourth away win of the season this Saturday. Chester did beat Preston 0-29 at Lightfoot Green back in November.

Broadstreet v Caldy
Caldy certainly felt it was a chance missed to go third in the table on Saturday, but will be hoping to stay on the coattails of Chester with a win away at Broadstreet this weekend. Caldy have won just three times away from home with their last away win coming in December. Caldy have also only won three times since the turn of the year which could an advantage to Broadstreet.
In terms of Street, their excellent second half comeback against a very in-form Huddersfield side has seen them move 12 points clear of the relegation zone and they do also have a game in hand. They have won two of their last five games and have won six games at home this season.  Caldy won 14-12 against Broadstreet earlier in the season.

Luctonians v Sedgley Park
Sedgley Park are very much a team on a roll. Three straight wins has put them right back in the thick of it for third place in this division. This weekend they travel to the Luctonians hoping to do the double over them after winning 49-12 at Park Lane earlier in the season. Sedgley have won just four games away from home this season which could be a factor in why they have not challenged for promotion this season.
As for the Luctonians, a superb bonus point at Ampthill has capped off a good two weeks for the Herefordshire side who are now just one point from safety.  They beat Stockport last time out at home and will be looking for back to back victories at Mortimer Park for the first time this season. Lucts have won five times at home this campaign.

Hull v Otley
Otley would have been relieved to get the draw against Caldy last weekend, but know they must improve their form if they are to finish in the top three. Currently five points off third, Otley have won just twice in their last six games, but they have won two of their last three away matches.
In terms of Hull, their confidence will be sky high after their convincing win over Leicester Lions last Saturday which meant they were out of the relegation zone. Hull have won just four times at home this season and will want revenge against Otley from their 0-30 defeat earlier in the season.

Harrogate v Birmingham and Solihull
Harrogate have had a tough few weeks. Having had two games postponed, they have now lost their last two matches after a seven match winning run and have also been struck by an injury crisis at the wrong time of the season. For me, they are still in pole position to take third place in this league as they have two games in hand and they are only six points behind Chester. This weekend they welcome Birmingham and Solihull to the County Ground where they have lost just twice all season.
In terms of Birmingham and Solihull, they will hope that they can translate the many positives from the Chester result last weekend into further vital league points. The Bees dropped into the bottom three last Saturday, but know any points at this stage of the season could be crucial. They have the third best away record in the league and will be looking for their sixth win this weekend.  The reverse fixture between these sides ended in a 20-20 draw back in November.

Huddersfield v Stockport
Huddersfield’s perfect start to 2015 was ended by Broadstreet, but they are still unbeaten at home so far this year. This season, Field have won seven matches at home and their recent form has more or less secured their National Two status for another season after being promoted last year. They were promoted alongside their opponents Stockport, but Port have had contrasting fortunes.
Injuries and other factors have played their part in a tough season for the Cheshire side that have won just once all season and are all but relegated. They are still yet to win away from home, but their solidarity win of the season came against Huddersfield when they won 27-18 back in November, so Port will be going into this one with a positive mentality.