National Two North - Round Two Review

It was another strong weekend of rugby in National Two North as Sedgley Park once again showed why they are one of the title favourites while Sandal & Leicester Lions produced excellent victories.

Elsewhere Macclesfield and Tynedale got their first wins and there were also victories for Chester, Harrogate and Preston Grasshoppers. Here is a review of all the action.

South Leicester 29-51 Sedgley Park

Sedgley Park have already scored 100 points this season after they beat South Leicester to stay top of National Two North.  Sedgley once again have shown their promotion ambition with this victory and they couldn’t have asked for a better start to this season.

A brace from Johnny Matthews and a try from Matt Riley helped Sedge build up a 10-25 lead at the break in this encounter.

South Leicester’s tries came from Jacob Heath and David Peck and the side put on a much stronger performance at the start of the second half, but failed to capitalise on it.

Riley crossed for the visitors after pouncing on his own clever chip through before Mike Waywell scored a superb individual try and with Stephen Collins performing well from the tee, the Tigers were in control with the score at 17-39.

However, they made changes and South Leicester grew back into the game as two quick fire tries from Callum Gunn gave Sedgley concern, but Ben Black and Matt Lamprey made sure of the away win.

Sandal 12-6 Stourbridge

Four penalties from the boot of Gregg Wood sealed Sandal’s second win of the season as the newly promoted side, from National Three North, are enjoying life in the fourth tier of English rugby.

Wood kicked three from the tee for a 9-0 half-time lead and then nudged over another just after the break, but Christopher Scott gave the away side a lifeline when he scored a penalty on 45 minutes.

However, that was all Stour could produce and Scott kicked over a penalty in the final minute of the game to secure a losing bonus point.

Broadstreet 16-38 Chester

Chester scored 31 unanswered points to deny Broadstreet their first win of the season in National Two North.

Tries from Luke Hibberd and Jeffery Gregson gave the hosts a 16-7 lead after Callum Bennet had scored the first try of the day for the visitors.

Chester then touched down before the break through Ross White and the platform for the comeback was set.

A penalty try edged Chester ahead and further tries from Carwyn Lloyd-Williams and William Bown extended the Cheshire sides lead to 16-31.

Broadstreet’s afternoon got worse when Joseph Forman was given a red card after receiving two yellows in a minute and Sean Green compounded their misery with another Chester try in the final play of the game.

Otley 10-29 Leicester Lions

Leicester Lions are now fourth in National Two North after back to back away wins. This was an impressive performance away at Otley to continue the Lions’ positive start.

This game marked Otley’s 150^th anniversary as a club, but the Lions spoiled the party.  No sooner had Joshua Cruise given his side the lead with a penalty, Leicester moved ahead thanks to tries from Oliver Taylor and Robert Young.

Leicester were 3-15 up, but were pulled back slightly when Alexander Beaumont crossed six minutes before half-time for Otley.

However, Leicester were even more in control of the game when Michael Coady was sin-binned just before half-time and the away side took advantage.

Otley struggled to convert their second half opportunities whereas Leicester were clinical as tries from Adam Shaw and Oliver Pavoas sealed victory.

Luctonians 18-27 Harrogate

Harrogate made it two wins from two with victory over Luctonians at Mortimer Park.

It was a tight first half with Samuel Bottomley and Harry Parrish going over for ‘Gate whilst a penalty from John Morris and a score from Daniel Smith made it 8-10 at half-time.

Morris then kicked his side in front just after the restart, but a penalty from Callum Irvine and a converted try from Lewis Minikn made it 11-20 just before the hour.

Harrogate’s forwards put in a superb display in this encounter and they allowed Irvine to squeeze in Harrogate’s fourth try of the afternoon.

A late try from Jordan Street was very much a consolation for the Lucts who are still searching for their first win of the season.

Preston Grasshoppers 25-14 Sale FC

Preston Grasshoppers got their National Two North campaign off the mark with victory over Sale FC at Lightfoot Green.

The hosts seemed to have the physical edge which was epitomised by Sean Taylor who contributed 15 points to the tally with Charles Hough and Sam Gale adding tries of their own.

Sale’s only score of the game came from Jonathon Keep in the first half with Liam McGovern kicking three penalties.

Macclesfield 34-27 Caldy

Macclesfield earned their first win of the National Two North season but had to battle hard to beat Cheshire rivals Caldy.

Both sides exchanged penalties early on before a Josh Fowles’s try helped the home side move 10-3 up.

Caldy then levelled the scores through Thomas Sanders, but a try from Elliot Brierley put the Blues 17-10 ahead by the break.

That try from Brierley seemed crucial as both sides scored 17 points in the second half with Matthew O’Regan and Francis Barker going over the hosts, while Jack Lavin and Andrew Souter crossed for Caldy. 

A penalty a piece from Macc’s Lewis Barker and Caldy’s Lavin were also added and made sure the away side took home a point from Priory Park.

Tynedale 23-17 Huddersfield

Like Macclesfield, Tynedale got their first win of the season after relegation from National One with victory over Huddersfield.

An early James Spencer penalty and a try from Scott Powell gave the home side a 10-0 lead after 30 minutes.

Huddersfield then responded when Daniel Jeffery crossed and a penalty from Oliver Scrimshaw levelled the score at the break.

Second half tries from Ashley Smith and James Clark gave the hosts a commanding 23-10, but Gypsey Black scored on debut for ‘Field to secure a last-gasp bonus point.