National Two North Update: Tier 4 rugby produces

Ampthill stay top as Hull Ionians return to winning ways, Sedgley Park are roaring back into life and the Luctonians seal a huge win in their fight to avoid the drop. Here is the round-up from an enthralling week of National Two North rugby as well as a look ahead to this weekend’s matches.

Harrogate 9-26 Ampthill and District
Ampthill produced an impressive win against Harrogate to stay two points clear at the top of the division. Harrogate bossed the first half with their pack in excellent form, their lineout very sharp and their backs looking to stretch the game. Harrogate led 9-3 at the break, but the visitors upped their game in the second period with their forwards taking control and their scrum becoming an attacking force which ultimately helped them to victory. Harrogate’s seven match winning run came to an end and Ampthill are now only the second team to have beaten Harrogate away from home this season.
Reaction
Ampthill Head Coach Paul Turner: “Although we were as stretched as we have been this season in the first half I was not too concerned, as I expected some fatigue to affect the second period, in fact we raised our game up front, which together with great support from the backs was enough to secure the half 0-23. Eight games to go, all to play for.”

Hull Ionians 50-17 Birmingham and Solihull
Sam Wilson scored a hat-trick as Hull Ionians returned to winning ways with this emphatic victory over strugglers Birmingham and Solihull. Wilson’s first half hat-trick was the highlight of their eight tries on Saturday. Ionians did have to battle hard for the win against the Bees who showed bright sparks throughout the game via Adam Canning and winger Aquile Smith. Overall, the I’s would have been pleased to win by a comfortable score-line in the end. They took advantage of some handling errors from the visitors and the Bees were made to pay for not being clinical enough.

Caldy 15-13 Hull
Caldy edged this tight game and would have been pleased to get the win considering Hull outplayed Caldy in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.  Hull have recruited five players on loan from Championship side Doncaster which could prove the difference in their fight for survival. In terms of the game itself, Caldy may a thought they should have wrapped the game up before half-time, but failed to convert their scoring chances. Hull then hit back in the second half and used their extra power to stay in the match, but Caldy’s defence stayed strong and they saw out the victory.
Reaction
Caldy Head Coach Simon Verbickas: “We knew we were in for a tough afternoon when we saw five of the Hull players come off the coach wearing Doncaster tracksuit. We probably should have wrapped it up before half time as we fluffed a couple of nailed on scoring chances but fair play to Hull they really took the game to us in the second half and we struggled to hold their driving maul. I was very pleased with our commitment and defence against what is now very powerful Hull pack, who are going to cause teams problems for the rest of the season.”

Chester 25-26 Sedgley Park
Without doubt, this was the game of the weekend. Sedgley Park backed up their excellent win against Hull Ionians last week with this win away at Chester,  who before this match, had lost just twice at home all season. The Tigers’ pack was vital in their win in what was a superb second half of rugby.  Chester edged the first 40 minutes in what was a high tempo affair and led 15-0 at the break.  The hosts were still firmly in the driving seat 15 minutes into the second half, but then Sedge mounted a remarkable comeback. It was a never say die attitude which they had and Chester were overwhelmed by Sedgley’s constant attacking threat. Steve Collins kicked the conversion from the all-important Juan Crous try to seal an unlikely win. This was simply brilliant advert for Level Four rugby.

Huddersfield 13-6 Otley
Huddersfield made it six wins from six in 2015 as they beat Otley on Saturday. They are currently the in-form side in this league after being promoted to this division last season. Their 100 per cent start to the year was maintained as Elliot Hodgson intercepted a pass from inside the Otley 22 to score under the posts. This local derby was a high tempo affair and the game was in the balance for a large period in the second half but Hodgson’s try was the difference on the day.

Leicester Lions 30-27 Preston Grasshoppers
Preston‘s bad habits returned to haunt them in Leicester as they were unable to hold on for the win in a game they dominated. They led by 14 points in the final quarter of the match and had already secured their four try bonus point, but a lack of focus and discipline cost them their ninth win of the season.  Preston were 27-13 up, but they struggled to hold off a strong Lions comeback. First, home scrum half Prince scored from a 5-metre scrum which also was converted. Leicester were back in touching distance and replacement Matt Frings and then No.8 Taylor saw yellow for Preston. Leicester took advantage of the extra men and scored two push over tries to snatch the victory from Preston.
Reaction
Preston Head Coach Garth Dew: “We played really well in the first half, dominated the play and scored some good tries. But in the last period we tried to force the play, were too loose, surrendered possession and lost our discipline. Once more a lack of maturity cost us the game.”

Stourbridge 23-17 Broadstreet
Stourbridge secured a vital win against Broadstreet to ease themselves ahead of the relegation fight in National Two North. This was a professional display from Stour against a very hard working Broadstreet side who did well do cut out the majority of Stour’s attacks. Bobbie Lawerson gave Stour a 17 point lead just after half-time which was enough for victory despite Broadstreet mounting a comeback.

Luctonians 31-20 Stockport
Five tries from the Luctonians consigned Stockport to a 31-20 defeat at Mortimer Park and their 12th away loss of the season. This was a much improved performance by Stockport and they pushed the Luctonians all the way, but too many errors proved to be their undoing. Adam Knight crossed over for the Luctonians after just three minutes with Jordan Street also scoring before half-time. Stockport’s George Smith kept his side in the game with two first half penalties and a try from Mike Waddington just after the break put Port within a point of their hosts. The Lucts then reclaimed the initiative scoring three more tries through Jon Hughes and two from Joe Doyle which was enough to see them home despite a late try from Stockport’s Simon Green.
Reaction
Stockport Coach Matthew Bebbington: “There were some really good things from today and there are some things to work on. Our attacking shape worked well, but it’s just noticing what option to use.  It was frustrating to concede the first two tries as we have practiced what to do from kick-off, but two basic handling errors cost us. Also it was frustrating to see them score straight away after we got ourselves back into the game and that was due to a slight lack of understanding on our part.”

Round 23
Ampthill and District v Luctonians
Still currently the league leaders, Ampthill know they cannot afford to slip up between now and April. Second place Hull Ionains do have a game in hand over bottom club Stockport and with a win they can go a maximum of three points clear. Ampthill know they just have to focus on their own job and that is a home game against the Luctonains this weekend. Ampthill have won four out of their last five matches and have won all 11 of their games at home this season.
As for the Luctonians, they picked up that massive win at home to Stockport last weekend and are only in the bottom three on point’s difference. They have won just two of their last five matches and have won just once away from home all season (At Stockport in October) so it does look unlikely that they can pull off a victory this weekend.  Ampthill won 7-29 in this fixture in November.

Preston Grasshoppers v Hull Ionians
As we have mentioned, the title is still very much Hull Ionains’ to lose. They have that game in hand at the end of this month, but also know that they cannot afford to have a repeat of what happened at Sedgley Park two weeks ago if they are to claim the championship. The I’s have won three of their last five matches and have lost just three times in 37 National Two North matches.
In terms of Preston, that narrow defeat to Leicester Lions last Saturday ended a two game winning streak and they are 11 points clear of the relegation zone. They have won five matches at home this season including their last two. Preston lost 43-15 at Brantingham Park earlier in the season, but both sides have won 14 games apiece in the 28 meetings between the teams.

Otley v Caldy
Only four points separates seventh place Otley and third place Caldy heading into this match on Saturday. Otley have had a mixed start to 2015 with three wins and three defeats, but have only being beaten twice at home all season.
As for Caldy, they also have the same record in 2015 and have seen any faint hope of challenging for a promotion place fade away from them due to their form. Caldy have won just three times away from home this season; with their last away win coming against Chester in December. Caldy won 29-22 in this fixture back in November.

Birmingham and Solihull v Chester
One stat that amazes me about Birmingham and Solihull is that they have won just once at home all season, but they have the third best record away from home in the league. The Bees’ only win at Portway this season came against Stockport in September and they will need to start to turn this around if they are to survive in this division. The Bees are only outside the relegation on point’s difference and have only won once in their last seven games.
In terms of Chester, after looking like they had turned a corner, they have now lost their last two matches and sit fourth in the table. They have won three of their last five matches and have won just one away match since November 8th.  Chester did win 30-18 against Birmingham and Solihull earlier in the season.

Sedgley Park v Harrogate   
The Tigers are back on a roll. With two wins in a row they now are eyeing up a top three spot. They are just four points off third after a difficult season which has seen them fall away from the promotion challenge. Sedge have won eight of their 11 matches at Park Lane this season.
As for Harrogate, their seven match winning streak ended last weekend. However, they do have two games in hand over the teams around them and they have only lost two of their last 12 matches. They also come to the North West having won their last three away matches.  Both sides will want to finish third this season and if this game is anything like what we saw at Harrogate earlier in the campaign (Harrogate won 21-19), then we are in for another enthralling contest.

Broadstreet v Huddersfield
It certainly is a Happy New Year for Huddersfield so far. Six wins from a possible six games in 2015 as seen them secure a solid place in the top half of the table. Considering they were promoted into this division last season, this is a fantastic achievement for Field. On the road, Huddersfield have won four matches this campaign.
In terms of their hosts Broadstreet, 2015 hasn’t been quite as successful. They end 2014 on a high after a tough start to the season, but with just two wins in their last five, they are now starting to look over their shoulder again at the relegation places. They are nine points clear of the drop zone, which should be ok and they do have a game in hand, but you never know. Street have won five games at home this season, but did lose the away fixture to Huddersfield 27-14.

Hull v Leicester Lions
Hull’s bonus point defeat at Caldy could well be the platform they can use as they try to escape from the relegation zone. The five new additions to the squad from Doncaster could also be key if they are to stay in this division next season. They currently are five points from safety and know with a bonus point win against Leicester they could be out the bottom three come Saturday night.  Hull have won just three times at home all season and have won just once in their last four games overall.
As for Leicester, their win against Preston keeps them mid-table which is where they will probably finish this season. The Lions have stayed around eighth and ninth place all year, but they will be looking to go back into the top half with a bonus point this weekend. Leicester have won just two of their last five games and have only won twice on their travels this season.  Leicester beat Hull 37-17 earlier in the season.

Stockport v Stourbridge
The only thing these sides have in common this season is injuries. Both teams have had substantial injures this campaign which has hampered their progress. In terms of Stockport, they lie bottom of the division with just one win all season and are a mammoth 28 points from safety.  They were promoted alongside Huddersfield last season, but injuries have been one of the main factors why they have had such tough season.  In terms of this Saturday’s game, Port’s home performances have been considerably better than those away from Headlands Road so they could spring a surprise on Saturday.
As for Stour, their injuries halted any chance they had of promotion to National One this season after a very good campaign last year. They have languished in the bottom half for most of this season, but with players now starting to come back from injury and a couple of new recruits joining the team, they are starting to look a much stronger side. Stour have won two of their last three games, but have won just three times away from home. Their last away win came in November and their biggest win of the season also came in that month when they beat Stockport 62-7.