National Two North Review: Round 9

Ampthill and Hull Ionians stay neck and neck, Chester keep up the chase whilst Sedgley Park slump to another defeat.

Ampthill and District remained top of the National League Two North table after a 7-39 win over the Luctonians. This was the first meeting between the sides in five years and Ampthill put in a very
professional display at Mortimer Park. The Luctonians put in a valiant performance against the league leaders and sit 12th final score did not reflect the balance of play with the home side's territory & possession going unrewarded. Our goal line defence was outstanding but on another day the scoreboard might have seen a much closer result."

Hull Ionians refuse to let Ampthill have any breathing space at the top of the table as they moved on to 40 points for the season after a 43-15 win over Preston Grasshoppers. The tone was set for the match when Chris Reakes crossed over inside 60 seconds for the first of seven tries. The hosts had also wrapped up the bonus points inside half an hour. Preston are now 11th their last five games.

Coaches View: Ionians coach Alex Crockett said “Energy and enjoyment are the key aims of our game plan and we executed them well today. I was delighted with the performance and it is a measure of the squad that they were disappointed at conceding 15 points” Preston coach Garth Dew thought Preston were schooled by a bigger, better and more experienced side who benefited from Preston’s mistakes but he was pleased with his sides effort.

The form side in the league table without a doubt is Chester who made it their fifth win in a row on the weekend as they beat Birmingham and Solihull 30-18 at Hare Lane. The home side now haven’t lost since the 27th six and find themselves in 14th.

In the preview piece for this round of fixtures, I made a statement that the game of the weekend would be at The County Ground as Harrogate hosted Sedgley Park – and I’m glad to say I was right!

Harrogate edged out their opponents 21-19 in a superb game of rugby. Harrogate have lost one of the last seven and are mounting a top four push, but as for Sedgley Park – one of the favourites for promotion back in September – they are now three games without a win and are sixth in the table.

Fourth place Otley were the victims of the only real upset in National Two North this weekend as Caldy got a much needed victory winning 29-22 at Paton Field. The hosts ended Otley’s three game winning run, but the Yorkshire side still remain in the top four. As for Caldy they move back into
the top half after this vital win. It was a really important win for us,” said Caldy Head Coach Simon Verbickas. “In the last couple of games we have not played at the level we expect to and we needed
to really lift our performance today.”

Leicester Lions returned to winning ways as they beat Hull 39-17 at Westleigh Park. The hosts have now won three of their last five and maintain their mid-table position for another week. As for Hull, in the division. Director of Rugby Mark Lavery for Ampthill said: "The after only winning one of September. As for Birmingham and Solihull, they have only won one of their last after a superb victory of Caldy last weekend, it was back to reality for them on Saturday as they sit 13th in the league.

Huddersfield don’t seemed to be phased by their return to National Two North as they picked up their fourth win of the season beating Broadstreet 27-14. Huddersfield are just four points off the top four after an impressive start to their return to this level of rugby. As for Broadstreet they stay in
15th with one win in their last five.

Finally, Stourbridge returned to winning ways in style this weekend as they ran in nine tries to beat Stockport 62-7 at Stourton Park. Hat-tricks from Stefan Cooksammy and Nathan Bressington gave the West Midlands side their first win in two after tough start to the season. In terms of Stockport they still remain without a win this season, but once again on the weekend their effort and desire was on show right up until the full time whistle. Captain Andy Fuller said: “The lads never gave up. Everything was positive. They played to their strengths and exploited our weaknesses. They shot out of the blocks and we were caught napping and they executed everything they wanted to do.”