National Two North - State of Play

Unlike, in National Two South the title race is still well and truly on in this section of the league. The race to finish in the top three took another twist this weekend and so did the relegation battle as the tension and pressure is starting to build rapidly.

Here is the state of play with six games remaining in National Two North.

It is safe to say that this title race will go down to the wire between Ampthill and District and Hull Ionians.

Since Hull Ionians won the 'title-decider' against Ampthill a few weeks ago, Ampthill have won all their matches and went back to the top of the table when Sedgley Park produced a superb performance to beat Hull Ionians at Park Lane in January. Ampthill currently lead the way by just two points and brought up their century of points on the weekend with 12-37 win over Stourbridge.

Hull Ionians made sure that they would pick up the maximum of five points as they thrashed Leicester Lions 0-53 last Saturday as they showed no signs of cracking under the pressure. The main point in this title race is the fact Hull Ionians have a game in hand over Ampthill which is taking place this weekend. The I’s travel to bottom club Stockport, who have won just once all season, and it does look nailed on that Ionians will come away with a win.

If that does happen, all of this means that Hull Ionians could be a maximum of three points clear with six games to go of the season. For me, it has been Hull Ionians’ title to lose since they edged out Ampthill four weeks ago, but whatever happens at Stockport on Saturday, the league crown is still very much up for grabs.

Below the top two, there has been an ongoing battle for who can finish in the top three throughout the season. Once Ampthill and Hull Ionains had made it clear it was a two horse race for the title, Chester, Caldy, Sedgley Park, Harrogate and Otley have all had eyes on that third place spot.

Currently, Chester occupy third place and had a perfect weekend. They beat Preston Grasshoppers 16-13 at Hare Lane and then found out that Caldy, Sedgley, Harrogate and Otley all lost. There are nine points separating Chester and Otley, but for me, Harrogate could well be favourites for third place as they are eight points behind Chester and they have two games in hand. They play one of their games in hand against Broadstreet this Saturday.

The final spot in the top half of the table goes to Huddersfield who are the form side in this division. Since the turn of the year, they have won seven of their eight matches and are comfortably safe for another year of National Two rugby. They were promoted from National Three last season and their run of results in 2015 has been very impressive.

Into the bottom half where you would say Broadstreet, Stourbridge and Leicester Lions have probably done enough to stay in this division at the moment. Broadstreet and Stourbridge are 12 points clear of the relegation zone with Leicester nine points ahead of the bottom three, but if they are not careful, they could be sucked into an unwanted relegation battle.

Preston Grasshoppers are seven points clear of the drop zone, but would not have been pleased to see a remarkable run of results which occurred below them. Hull, Birmingham and Solihull and the Luctonians all won this weekend. I am sure all three of the sides would have been pleased to secure a victory, but frustrated to see their relegation rivals pick up a win as well.

Hull moved out of the relegation places on games won with a 30-18 win over Otley, whilst Birmingham and Solihull became just the third side to beat Harrogate at the County Ground as they won 34-35 in an enthralling match. The Bees have the third best away record in the division and that could prove vital come the end of the season. The Luctonians added to these shock results with a 23-19 win over an in-form Sedgley Park. The Lucts are now just two points behind Hull and this relegation battle will go right down to the final day of the season. Also, Birmingham still have to play both Hull and the Luctonians before the end of April.

And finally, bottom side Stockport are all but relegated from this division. After being promoted last year, they have had a tough season due to the huge amount of injuries which they sustained at the start of the season. They have also not been able to take their first half performances into the second period of the game which has seen them lose matches from winning position on a number of occasions this season.  With just one win all season, Port will already be looking to rebuild for next season.

Round 24 Results

Broadstreet 26-23 Caldy
Chester 16-13 Preston Grasshoppers
Harrogate 34-35 Birmingham and Solihull
Huddersfield 26-11 Stockport
Hull 30-18 Otley
Leicester Lions 0-53 Hull Ionians
Luctonians 23-19 Sedgley Park
Stourbridge 12-37 Ampthill and District.

This Weekend’s Fixtures
Harrogate v Broadsteet (2pm)
Stockport v Hull Ionians (2.15pm)