National Two North: Sedgley maintain perfect bonus-point start

Sedgley Park continued their 100 per cent start to the season as they saw off the challenge of the Luctonians, while Macclesfield moved into the top two for the first time this season after relegation from National One.

Sandal’s unbeaten start came to an end at Huddersfield and Preston Grasshoppers and Sale FC pulled off impressive victories. Here is a round-up of all the action from week five in National Two North.

Sedgley Park 53-28 Luctonians

Sedgley Park stood firm against a spirited Luctonians side to make it five wins from five and move five points clear at the top of National Two North.

A free flowing opening 25 minutes saw the hosts narrowly lead 17-16 thanks to a brace from Andrew Riley while all 16 of the Luctonians’ points came from centre Geraint Langdon.

With the score the same at the break, Sedge then took control of proceedings as they scored four tries in 14 second half minutes. Shaun Manley, a double from Jamie Harrison and Riley once again saw the home side establish a 46-16 lead just before the hour mark.

Rhyan-Scott Young and James Norris crossed as the Lucts went in search of a bonus point, but Harrison completed his hat-trick to round things off.

Macclesfield 47-19 South Leicester

Macclesfield moved second in the table after their fourth straight win as they dispatched South Leicester at Priory Park.

Tries from David Marwick, Elliot Brierley and Samuel Moss helped Macc into a 17-0 lead, but South responded with a score from Christopher Bale.

But the visitors’ joy didn’t last for too long as Lewis Barker and Michael Finnemore secured the Blues’ bonus point just before the interval.

Elliot Millar-Mills darted over just after half-time as the South defence couldn’t withstand any more pressure, but they did score their second try of the day moments later, as Gareth Kerr gathered a Rici Aley grubber kick to dot down.

Marwick then crossed for his second and Macclesfield’s seventh try of the afternoon before Jacob Heath was sin-binned for South.

However, that didn’t deter them from scoring a third and final try as Thomas Chensey touched down in the final play of this open encounter.

Leicester Lions 26-20 Harrogate

Leicester Lions bounced back from their narrow defeat to Sandal thanks to a win over Harrogate at Westleigh Park.

The hosts were ahead 20-7 at the interval after Josheph Collingham and John Murdoch crossed for the Lions, while Lewis Minikin scored all seven of Harrogate’s first-half points.

Fly-half Callum Irvine tried to spark a revival for ‘Gate with a try early after the break, but the boot of Jonathan Williams kept the away side at bay as he kicked two second-half penalties for Leicester.

Despite Minikin matching him and Harrogate pushing for that decisive try, Leicester held on for the victory which sees them move back into the top three.

Caldy 41-18 Broadstreet

In their first home fixture of the season, Caldy put in superb display to beat a Broadstreet side who are still winless this season.

A double from wing Nicolas Royle and a try from John Collister gave the hosts a well-deserved 22-8 half-time lead with Nicolas Thatcher dotting down for the visitors.

Luke Hibberd reduced the deficit to nine points with a try just after the break, but scores from John Weir and David Salisbury put the Wirral side in complete control just before the hour.

Liam Munroe darted over for ‘Street with 11 minutes remaining, but Forbes Edwards rounded off proceedings with his first try of the season.

Huddersfield 26-19 Sandal

Sandal suffered their first loss of the season away at Huddersfield who produced a sensational performance to secure their second win of the campaign.

Sandal, who have surprised everyone by their impressive start since being promoted from National Three last season, led 7-16 at the break thanks to three penalties from Mark Pease and a converted try from Joe Bedford.

Lewis Workman got the try for ‘Field in the first half before they began to mount a comeback in the second period.

Thomas Hudson’s excellent weaving try reduced Sandal’s advantage to two points and three minutes later, they took the lead which they never surrendered.

Chris Bell nudged over two penalties in six minutes to give his side a 20-16 lead, before Joel Hinchcliffe was sin-binned.

Sandal responded through another penalty from Pease, but Bell made sure their lead stayed at four points on 62 minutes as bisected the posts once again.

The hosts were then reduced to 13 men when Adam Malthouse joined Hinchcliffe in the bin, but some valiant defending from ‘Field prevented Sandal from retaking the lead.

Bell added another three points to his tally with a drop-goal in the final minutes to seal the win.

Chester 5-7 Otley

Otley made it back to back wins on their travels as they beat Chester for the first time away from home.

Former Otley No.8 Guy Ford crossed for Chester after a rolling maul from the line-out for the only score of the first-half. Thomas O’Donnell was also yellow carded for Otley in the opening 40.

Kyle Joseph was then sin-binned for Chester just before the hour mark, but the decisive moment in the game came five minutes from time as Henry Roberts skipped past the Chester defence to score with Stephen Depledge knocking over the vital conversion.

Stourbridge 22-25 Preston Grasshoppers

Preston Grasshoppers secured a superb win at Stourton Park as a late Harry Moulding try and 20 points from Sean Taylor clinched their second win of the season.

The Hoppers were behind at half-time as Stephan Thorpe and Tobias Handley crashed over for Stour, but the boot of Taylor kept Garth Dew’s men firmly in the contest with score at 13-9.

Stourbridge fly-half Christopher Scott had knocked over a penalty in the first period and followed that up with three more in the second-half with Taylor adding just one during that time.

With the score at 22-12, Oga Mabaya was sin-binned for Preston, but that didn’t stop Taylor from keeping his side in the match as he slotted over two more penalties to reduce the deficit to four points.

Chris Roddy was then shown yellow for Stour ten minutes from time and with Preston having the man advantage, they opted to kick for the corner which set-up Moulding’s try as he broke through two tackles to score and snatch victory from the hosts.

Sale FC 31-23 Tynedale

Sale FC made it two straight wins at Heywood Road as they held off a late fightback from Tynedale having had three men sin-binned in the final ten minutes.

Liam McGovern kicked two penalties and a try from wing Jack Moorhouse helped the hosts to an 11-6 half-time lead with Tyne’s Ashley Smith also nudging over two from the tee.

Sale scored two more tries without a response as John O’Donnell and Thomas Alies crossed with McGovern slotting over another two penalties to give his side a 31-6 advantage after 66 minutes.

Three late tries from Matthew Ouston, Rory Dixon and Jack Harrison  weren’t enough to complete a comeback or secure a bonus point and Tynedale will be disappointed with that as Scott Briggs, Ciaran Conolly and Joseph Kelly were all yellow carded for Sale.