Pressure starting to mount in National Two North
Caldy will be hoping to turn their fortunes around as teams behind them keep the heat on
©Derek Sailsbury and Caldy RUFC
Macclesfield will be looking to tighten their grip at the top of National Two North this weekend as they go in search of their 10th straight win while there are some vital fixtures in the bottom half of the table.
Four of the bottom six face off against each other this Saturday as they look to move away from the danger zone, while as many as five teams will have their sights set on being in the top four come Saturday evening as National Two North starts to become closer.
Macclesfield v Leicester Lions
Table toppers Macclesfield will be looking to make it 10 straight wins when they welcome Leicester Lions to Priory Park on Saturday. Macc have not suffered a defeat since the opening day of the season and have won all five of their home games so far this season. They were pushed hard by Harrogate last weekend, but with Sedgley Park and Caldy dropping points, a win on Saturday will make that driving seat even more comfortable.
As for Leicester Lions, they were able to close the gap on top four with a comprehensive win over Sale FC last Saturday and are now just a point behind 3rd placed Caldy. Leicester have won just the once on the road this season – that coming against on the first day of the campaign at Tynedale. The Lions have already beaten Sedgley Park this season and they will be looking for another scalp this weekend.
Chester v Sedgley Park
Two wins in their last five games as seen Sedgley Park go from league leaders to now six points behind Macclesfield in 2nd place. Sedge have won their first five matches, but they now have to respond to a dip in form starting with their trip to Chester on Saturday. Sedge have won twice on their travels this season, but have lost their last two away games.
In terms of their hosts Chester, I think five wins and five defeats sums up their season quite well. The Cheshire side have struggled to remain positively consistent and that has seen them slip down to 9th in the table. They have won just two of their last five games and just two of their games at Hare Lane so far this campaign. Chester narrowly lost this fixture 25-26 last season and this year’s game is important for both sides due to their current situations.
Caldy v Harrogate
Along with bottom club Luctonians, Caldy currently have the worst form in the league over the last three matches. With no win since October 17th, the Wirral outfit are beginning to lose track of the top two, but they do still remain 3rd in the division. Caldy have played seven of their 10 matches away home this season so maybe they can end this baron spell when they return to Paton Field this weekend.
Harrogate travel to Caldy off the back of a defeat to Macclesfield but, their last three performances have shown what the Yorkshire side are capable of after a sluggish start to the season. Three wins in their last five leaves them mid-table and they also won this fixture 12-19 last campaign.
Preston Grasshoppers v Sandal
10 weeks in to the season and Sandal remain in the top four in what has been a remarkable start to life in National Two for the side. Wins against Sedgley Park as well as a four match unbeaten run to start the campaign has seen everyone stand up and take notice of Sandal who were promoted into this division this season. They have won two of their four away matches so far and will be looking for their first win on the road since the middle of October.
Preston head into this fixture full of confidence after a well fought win over the Luctonians last week. The Hoppers have won just once at Lightfoot Green so far this season (that win coming against Sale FC in September) and Head Coach Garth Dew still thinks its possible that his side can finish in the top half of the table despite currently lying in 13th place.
He said: “Our aim is obviously to win as many games as possible! We targeted a top half finish at the start of the season which would be a great foundation to develop this exciting squad from.
“I still think this is possible but we are going to have learn some lessons very fast to make it a reality. The club is very successful off the field and so it’s imperative we kick on and have a good season on the field, from there we can build again in the next off season as we try to establish ourselves as a top team in the league in the coming years.
“Ultimately, we want to enjoy our rugby as much as possible and try to play a good brand, if we do this, I’m confident we’ll climb the table in the next few months.”
South Leicester v Otley
Otley enjoyed victory over Broadstreet last weekend and that win was made even sweeter when they learnt that Sedgley Park and more so Caldy had slipped up. It means Otley are now just a point behind 3rd place and can move into that top three this weekend if results go their way and they get the job done on the road against South Leicester. Otley have won four of their last five games and have won three games away from home so far this campaign.
As for South Leicester, just one defeat in their last four sees the National Three Midlands champions in 10th position in the table. They will be very satisfied with their first third of the season and will now want to maintain that level as we approach the midway point of the campaign. South have won three of their five games at Welford Road and will be looking to continue that form on Saturday.
Stourbridge v Tynedale
After defeat to South Leicester two weeks ago, Stourbridge’s good recent form suffered a dent. However, that was put right when Stour travelled to Sedgley Park last weekend and ended their 100 per cent home record with a superb victory. Stour are now looking to kick on and find themselves just two points behind 3rd place as the top half becomes even closer. Stour have won one of their last five matches after a tough start to the season and this is their first home fixture in three games.
In terms of Tynedale, they picked up a much needed win against South Leicester last weekend to move them out of the bottom three. After relegation for the first time in the clubs history last season, Tyne have found life tough in National Two with just three wins to their name so far. Tyne have also not won on the road this season, but two wins in their last three games may be the boost for them to achieve that maiden victory.
Sale FC v Huddersfield
Like, I mentioned at the start of the article four of the bottom six are in action against each other this weekend with the first of those fixtures coming at Heywood Road where Sale FC host Huddersfield. After three wins in four, Sale have now lost their last two which has seen them slowly being dragged towards the relegation zone. The north-west side have won three of their five games on home soil, but were beaten by Harrogate last time they played at home.
As for Huddersfield, they clinched a vital win over Chester last weekend, but will be desperate to carry some of their home performances into their away matches as ‘Field are still yet to taste victory on the road this season. In fact, Huddersfield have won just four of their last 19 away games and that will have to change if they are to move out of the bottom three.
Broadstreet v Luctonians
It’s the battle of the bottom two this weekend as Brodstreet host the Luctonians. Broadstreet are 15th in the table with just two wins so far this season – both coming at home. Those wins have come in their last five matches andthey will know the significance of a victory this weekend. If they are to win, they can go as much as seven points clear of the Luctonians.
It really is a huge fixture when you put it into context for the rest of the season. The Lucts have won just once this season and are yet to win away from home. They did perform admirably against Caldy in their last away fixture, but if they lose on Saturday the alarm bells will certainly ringing for the side from Herefordshire.
