Lions launch themselves back into the hunt

Leicester Lions had a perfect weekend in National Two North as all three sides ahead of them in the table failed to pick up a victory while they secured an important bonus-point win.

The Lions beat second-placed Sale FC which leaves them just three points behind Caldy who do remain at the summit of the division as they escaped from South Leicester with a late draw.

Sedgley Park’s unbeaten record came to an end as they were beaten by a Sheffield Tigers side growing in confidence while Stourbridge returned winning ways.

Elsewhere, Tynedale continued their impressive performances at home as they beat Preston Grasshoppers, Chester edged the Luctonians in a thriller at Mortimer Park to keep up their excellent run while Hinckley moved off the bottom of National Two North as triumphed over Otley at Leicester Road.

South Leicester 21-21 Caldy

Caldy centre Jack Lavin kicked a late conversion to snatch a draw against South Leicester.

The first half ended 10-6 to the home side courtesy of a try as well as five points from the boot of Rickie Aley, but the game opened up after the break.

Louis McGowan touched down for Caldy 10 minutes into the second-half, before South restored their advantage as Nicholas Cairns smashed his way over.

Lavin and Aley exchanged penalties midway through the second 40, before Aley’s fourth penalty of the afternoon seemed to have sealed the win for South. However, Tom Banks went over late on for Caldy before Lavin stepped up to steal a draw for the Wirral outfit which keeps them top of National Two North.

Leicester Lions 23-5 Sale FC

Leicester Lions returned to winning ways and did so in style with an excellent victory over Sale FC at Westleigh Park.

Tries from Jon Boden and Ian Smith helped put the Lions 18-5 ahead at half-time and five unanswered second-half points - a Kris McFedries try – put the Midlands side in complete control.

Sale’s points had come via Chris Townsend in the first period, but they were unable to find a way through the Leicester defence after McFedries’ score on 66 minutes as the hosts saw out an important win which brings them firmly back into the promotion race.

Sheffield Tigers 20-14 Sedgley Park

Sheffield Tigers made it back to back wins in National Two North as they inflicted a defeat on Sedgley Park for the first time this season.

The Tigers were promoted into this division in May, but are just starting to show signs of adapting to life at this level while Sedge’s unbeaten run came to an end.

Both sides exchanged early tries as the prolific Jonny Matthews touched down for Sedge before Pete Swatkins went over next to the posts to make it 7-7.

Matthews barged his way over from close range before the break to give the visitors a deserved advantage, but that was short lived.

Sheffield wrestled the ascendancy back as Steve Walker burst through to score five minutes after the interval before there was another enough cheer from the Dore Moor crowd two minutes later as Swatkins gave the home side a slender 17-14 lead with his second try of the day against his former club.

The home side then had to stand tall against relentless Sedgley pressure, but held on before a rare venture into the visitors half saw Sheffield win a penalty which Captain Tom Outram slotted over which ultimately sealed the win.

Stourbridge 19-8 Wharfedale

Stourbridge bounced back from defeat to Sale FC as they grinded out a victory against Wharfedale in the Midlands.

A Luke White penalty and a Nigel Mukarati converted try gave Stour an early lead before White added two more kicks from the tee to give his side an 16-8 half-time lead, with Dale responding through a Will Lawn try and a James Guy penalty.

The second period was disjointed despite the glorious weather conditions in Stourbridge. Stour seemed to be the side looking more likely to score especially when Dale lost a second prop to injury and Rob Baldwin was yellow-carded.

However, the Skipton-based side continued to stay firm in defence as Stour looked to tie the game up, but it was left to White to seal the game with his fourth penalty of the afternoon.

Luctonians 31-32 Chester

A late Mike Craven try for Chester saw them complete a remarkable comeback to clinch victory over the Luctonians in a nine-try thriller at Moritmer Park.

The Luctonians led 24-10 with tries from Frank Kelly, Will Hodnett and Charlie Grimes, while Craig Ross crossed for Chester and Alex Burrage added the extras.

Joe White scored a bonus-point try for the Luctonians five minutes into the second-half to give the hosts a firm grip on this contest, but Chester turned the game on its head.

Freeman Payne gave them a glimmer of hope when he crossed for an unconverted try on 59 minutes before Chester scored two quick-fire tries in the final 10 minutes.

Ross White and Will Bown both went over to set-up a grandstand finish and the comeback was complete for Chester in the dying embers of this encounter as Craven touched down late on and Callum Bennett kept his cool to convert and secure a third  win in a row for the away side.

Tynedale 26-22 Preston Grasshoppers

Tynedale held off a spirited Preston Grasshoppers fightback to pick up their third win of the season at Corbridge.

Tyne’s tries came from Jack Harrison, Oli Walker (2) in the first-half with Ash Smith converting two to give the home side a 19-3 half-time lead.

Henry Hadfield notched up the bonus-point for the hosts on 58 minutes as he crossed to extend Tynedale’s advantage, but Tyne then took their foot off the gas and allowed Preston back into this contest.

Jack Harrison went over first for the Hoppers before two forward drives led to tries by replacement Matt Beatty and lock Ally Murray. Harrison converted them both to bring his side to within four points, but Tynedale held on for their first win in four matches.

Harrogate 14-18 Scunthorpe

Steve Johnson’s boot gave Scunthorpe back to back victories as they beat a struggling Harrogate side at Rudding Lane.

Johnson, who has performed strongly in National Two North this season, scored six penalties throughout the afternoon as the Greens avoided falling behind in this contest throughout the afternoon.

A Penalty Try and a score from Tim Heaton kept ‘Gate in this game, but the accuracy of Johnson was enough for Scunthorpe to seal their first away win of the season and keep up their excellent recent form.

Hinckley 27-15 Otley

Hinckley moved off the bottom of the National Two North table with a fine victory over a below-par Otley.

The newly-promoted side hadn’t won a game since the opening day of the season and came into this fixture on the back of six straight defeats, but this bonus-point victory will certainly boost the confidence at Leicester Road.

Ehize Ehizode smashed his way through the Otley defence for the opening try before Alex Salt added a second to give Hinckley a 15-8 half-time lead, with Jack Mackie crossing for the away side and Tom Hodson adding a penalty.

A Penalty Try saw Hinckley extend their advantage five minutes after the restart before Mackie reduced the deficit again for Otley with his second try of the afternoon.

However with three minutes left, Joe Glover clinched the bonus-point and the win for the home side as he darted over for a try.