National Two North Review: Round 11

With the attention before the game on Chester Rugby Club on and off the pitch, that quickly turned to some stunning action across National Two North as we saw thrills, spills and upsets.

Before any action began this weekend, the big news was that Chester’s Director of Rugby Nic Corriganleft the club ahead of their crunch match with Hull Ionians at Hare Lane.

He has now moved to National One side Cinderford to be lead coach and performance consultant after spending two-and-a-half season with Chester. He guided them to the National Three title in his first season and solidified their place in National Two North last year.

Chester had won their last six matches heading into this weekend against Hull Ionians and with former head coach Dave Craven back in charge at the club, he watched his sides run come to an end as they were beaten 14-35. Isaac Green was superb with the boot for the visitors in this fantastic match-up between the sides. Hull Ionians have now lost only once in 28 National League Two North matches, but significantly they went to the top of the table on Saturday evening.

This was due Ampthill and District dropping points for only the second time this season as they drew 17-17 away at Huddersfield. This was the first ever league meeting between the sides and Ampthill were left frustrated by the hosts. There was a complete contrast in Huddersfield’s performance from their defeat to Stockport last weekend as they made it hard work for the visitors. Ampthill are now two points behind Hull Ionians with Huddersfield remaining in ninth after this very good result.

Otley failed to take advantage of the Ampthill and Chester results as they dropped out of the top four for the first time in three weeks after being beaten 14-8 away at Leicester Lions. Otley have now lost their last two on the road and will feel this is an opportunity missed to close the gap on the top four.  As for Leicester, this win keeps them eighth but they are now a win and a bonus point outside the top four and have now won their last three matches at home.

Harrogate did capitalise on Otley’s defeat as they moved back into the top four after a 27-9 win over struggling Preston Grasshoppers. It was comfortable in the end for the hosts who ran in four tries, but were made to work hard for the win for a while despite Preston’s Reece Tomlinson being sent off after just 15 minutes. The Hoppers also missed three penalties which would have given them the lead. Harrogate have now only lost once in their last ten and continue their very good home form. As for Preston, they continue to slide down the table after their third consecutive defeat and haven’t scored a try in two weeks.
Coaches View: Preston Coach Garth Drew: “First of all you can’t fault the effort of the lads and this really was a game when nothing went or way, the ref gave us nothing and the odds were against us from the start in this one.”
“We are down four props; three backs (including one who dropped out last minute) and then we lose Jack Ward to injury and Reece Tomlinson to a red card in the opening minutes. But we were beaten four tries to none and we missed some kicks and didn’t convert our chances.
“The main thing that impresses me though is the spirit in this side; they are going out and playing for each other. While the injuries bring problems is nice to see lads like Harry Moulding get a chance and I thought Oga Mabaya was outstanding again, he’s stepped up to the first XV and made a big impression.
“We have Luctonians next week and it’s going to be a bit like a cup final as we enter a run of games that we can pick up points from and move into the top half.”

Caldy also pounced on Otley’s defeat as they came from behind to beat Stockport 40-30 at Paton Field to move into the fifth position. The bottom club lead 11-27 just after half-time thanks to tries from Ben Marsland, Ashley Platt-Hughes and Simon Green but were made to rue missed chances as Caldy turned the game around scoring four second half-tries. This was the host’s third win in a row and it maintained their 100 per cent home record so far this season. As for Port, they remain bottom but once again will take positives out of this result where their effort and commitment was faultless for 80 minutes.
Coaches View: Stockport Coach Matthew Bebbington: “You see the score line at the end and it’s only by 10 points.
“We made a line break just before half-time and another one just after half-time so that’s 10 maybe 14 points. We then took a quick tap penalty with 10 minutes to go when we were up in the game, rather than taking the three points and that’s potentially 17 points and we lost by 10. There are always going to be mistakes, but its taking those critical chances.

Sedgley Park had chances to keep the pressure on the teams above, but failed to take them as they drew 17-17 away at Stourbridge. This was a 3pm kick off in the Midlands and with it starting to go dark earlier an earlier, the camera crew had poor light filming the game. On the pitch, The Tigers had the lead after 43 minutes thanks to the hard working Andy Riley, but lost that momentum as Hymes was yellow carded. The hosts levelled after a try from their Number 8, but even after that Sedgley didn’t take their chances especially when a drop-goal opportunity arose. It seemed as if both sides enjoyed playing each other, but both left lots of space in behind and kicked poorly from hand. Sedgley drop down to seventh as Stourbridge stay 10th.

Now into the bottom half of the table which proved to be as thrilling as the top half. In terms of league positions, it was a double shock as Birmingham and Solihull and Broadstreet both beat teams above them. The B’s ousted the Luctonians away from home winning 21-39. The visitors have had a good couple of weeks. Having been beaten by Chester and Hull Ionians after putting on valiant performances, they have picked up some excellent results recently which has seen move up to 12th in the table. As for the Luctonians, they have now lost their last three matches.

Broadstreet showed last Saturday at Caldy why they shouldn’t be in the bottom two and proved it again as they won 11-15 on the road against Hull. Broadstreet have a couple of players on loan from National One side Coventry and that has added an extra bite to their recent performances. In terms of Hull, they have also lost their last three matches and drop to 14th.