Efficient Caldy go top of National Two North

The lead as swapped and changed on numerous occasions so far in National Two North, but Caldy made their way to the summit of the division for the first time on Saturday following six straight wins.

The Wirral side produced another professional display to beat Tynedale at the weekend to move them top of the table – but only on points difference.

Sale FC are breathing down their necks following a narrow win over Stourbridge at Heywood Road while Sedgley Park thrashed the Luctonians to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

There was joy for Harrogate this weekend as they picked up their maiden win of the season thanks to victory over Leicester Lions meaning that Hinckley are now bottom of National Two North after a humbling defeat away at Preston Grasshoppers.

Caldy 56-13 Tynedale

Winger Nick Royle scored a brace as Caldy thumped Tynedale at Paton Fields to go top of National Two North.

Royle claimed his first try on 12 minutes after Rhys Hayes had opened the scoring for the hosts with an early penalty.

Caldy then went through the gears before the break as Royle and John Broxson both went over to give the home side a 21-6 lead at the interval.

Tynedale’s first half points had come via the boot of Rob Parker, but their first try of the match came two minutes after the restart as dual registered Jamie Blamire – from Newcastle Falcons- dotted down to reduce Caldy’s lead.

However, the Wirral side cut loose in the final quarter of the this match as they were rewarded a Penalty Try before Rhys Hayes, Forbes Edwards , Jack Collister and JJ Dickinson all crossed to seal an impressive victory for Caldy.

Sale FC 13-9 Stourbridge

Sale FC were made to fight all the way as they beat Stourbridge 13-9 in front of a bumper crowd at Heywood Road.

The game was evenly matched throughout until two quick-fire penalties from Chris Johnson just after the hour gave Sale a four-point cushion which they didn’t relinquish.

Jack Moorhouse had gone over in the first half for the hosts, but Johnson’s six points secured Sale the victory which leaves them second in the table – only behind Caldy on points difference.

The visitors deservedly earned their losing bonus point thanks to three penalties from the accurate Luke White.

Sedgley Park 76-35 Luctonians

Sedgley Park maintained their unbeaten start to the season and moved up to third in the table following a big win over the Luctonians.

Sedge ran in 12 tries, Jonny Matthews scoring five, as Sedge made it five wins from their first seven matches.

The hosts were pretty much out of sight by half-time. Matthews got the ball rolling with his first try after just six minutes which was swiftly followed by scores from Juan Crous, Shaun Needham, Jamie Harrison and Alex Powell before Matthews wrapped up the first half with his second touchdown to leave Sedge 40-14 ahead.

The Luctonians’ points came via tries from Charlie Grimes and Joe Doyle, but they were immediately on the back foot once again at the start of the second period as Matthews completed his hat-trick before Sam Lowthion grabbed Sedge’s eighth try of the afternoon.

Grimes did score his second try just before the hour but once again it was cancelled out as Callum McShane dotted down for Sedge.

Matthew Hackley and Jorn Schroder claimed the bonus point for the away side heading into the final 10 minutes before Matthews, who was now playing on the wing instead of his usual position at hooker, scored a brace while Thomas Holloway crossed to complete the rout.

Harrogate 27-10 Leicester Lions

Harrogate secured their first win of the season as they moved off the bottom of the National Two North table thanks to this victory over Leicester Lions.

Harrogate came into this game on the back of six straight defeats, but put in an excellent performance at Rudding Lane to halt their slide.

Tries from Tim Heaton and Sam Brady as well as two penalties from Charlie Morgan gave the hosts a 20-3 interval lead.

A converted Danny Matthews try put Harrogate in command at 27-3 on the hour.

The away side were then given a route back into the match as Jonny Coser was sin-binned for Harrogate and immediately Ben Spokes went over for the Lions.

However, Harrogate kept their visitors at bay to record a much needed victory which could be the catalyst for their season.

Chester 43-32 South Leicester

Chester made it three wins on the spin as they beat South Leicester in a breathless game at Hare Lane.

The Cheshire side led 26-13 at half-time, helped by a Penalty Try as well as scores from Andy Baston (2) and Craig Ross.

Two Rickie Aley penalties and a try from Ryan Hough made up South Leicester’s points in the first period and they were first on the board after the break as Andrew Gates dotted down for the away side.

However, Chester responded as Liam Gill and Sean Green both crossed before the hour to extend the hosts’ lead. South Leicester hit back yet again as they sealed their bonus point, but Ross White moved Chester further in front with their seventh try of the afternoon.

There was still time for one more try as Aaron Martin pounced on a loose ball to dot down for South Leicester, but it was Chester who came out on top in this ding-dong battle.

Wharfedale 19-29 Sheffield Tigers

Sheffield Tigers made it back to back wins thanks to this victory away at Wharfedale.

Wharfedale took the lead through Josh Burridge and Tom Davidson (2), but scores from Stephen Walker, Pete Swatkins and Henri Packard put the Tigers 21-19 ahead at the break.

But that was as good as it got for Dale as Tom Outram slotted a penalty in second period for the away side before Swatkins crossed for the bonus-point try for the Tigers which ultimately sealed the victory.

Scunthorpe 23-14 Otley

Scunthorpe clinched their second home win on the trot as they beat an inconsistent Otley side at Heslam Park.

After Tom Hodson’s two early penalties had put Otley ahead, Nic Dyson scored a converted try and Steve Johnson landed a penalty to put the hosts 10-9 up at half-time.

A try from Paul Cook put them in control of this encounter six minutes into the second period before another three points from Johnson extended Scunthorpe’s lead.

Otley fought their way back into the match in the final 10 minutes as Max Johnson went over for their first try of the day, but his namesake for Scunthorpe made sure of the victory for the hosts as Johnson nudged over his third penalty four minutes from the end.

Preston Grasshoppers 51-17 Hinckley

Preston Grasshoppers picked up a much needed victory as they comfortably beat Hinckley at Lightfoot Green.

Hoppers had gone into this fixture on the back of five straight defeats, with their last win coming on the opening day of the season, but they finally got the victory they had craved.

This game with Hinckley was nicely poised at half-time, with the hosts taking a narrow 20-14 lead thanks to tries from Luke Proctor and Olly Viney as well as two penalties from the boot of Lewis Allen.

But Preston ran in four more tries in a superb second-half performance. They began the second period with Viney’s second try before Connor Eastgate added a penalty to Hinckley’s total.

Preston then had to wait until the final 10 minutes to be sure of victory as Jack Harrison, Billy Woof and Chris Roddy all crossed to clinch the win.