Sale FC beat Sedgley Park to clinch play-off place
Sale FC have now won their last 12 games in a row on their way to securing a top two finish
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Sale FC confirmed their place in the top two of National Two North after an enthralling victory over Sedgley Park in Round 26.
Jonathan Keep’s side knew that any sort of win at Park Lane and a draw or defeat for Leicester Lions against league leaders Caldy would be enough for them to secure a play-off place at the very least.
The men from Heywood Road got their job done in style and extended their winning run to 12 matches in this quite remarkable season for the Manchester club.
Sale still remain 10 points behind Caldy so the league title is still a possibility, but considering the Wirral side have won their last 18 matches and are unbeaten in their last 25 games, suggests Sale may have to settle for the play-off spot.
Down at the wrong end of table, things are beginning to look bleak for Preston Grasshoppers after they suffered a home defeat against Stourbridge and added to that, both of their relegation rivals - Sheffield Tigers and Scunthorpe - secured vital victories on the weekend.
Elsewhere in National Two North, Chester continued their fine form with a victory over Harrogate, Hinckley mathematically secured their safety while Tynedale edged past South Leicester
Caldy 22-16 Leicester Lions
Caldy’s charge towards the National Two North title continued after they emerged victorious from a tense contest against Leicester Lions at Paton Fields.
JJ Dickinson’s try gave Caldy an early lead, but three James Grayson penalties put the Lions 9-7 clear heading into the second period.
Jack Lavin’s try regained the lead for the hosts before a second score from the inside centre put Caldy 19-9 ahead.
Replacement Ben Spokes cut the deficit to three points, but a late penalty from the home side sealed their 18th straight victory.
Sedgley Park 10-42 Sale FC
Sale FC confirmed a top two finish in National Two North as they thrashed Sedgley Park at Park Lane.
Sedge had won four games on the spin and were lying in third place before this game, but an in-form Sale side were unstoppable as they clinched their 12th straight victory.
Andrew Hughes, Ciaran Connolly, Ollie Longmore, Sam Stelmaszek, Matt Postlethwaite and Tom Alies all went over.
The hosts grabbed their only try right at the start of the second period, but they were completely outplayed in almost every area by Sale who continue their fine form.
Chester 30-10 Harrogate
Harrogate are now only two points clear of the relegation places in National Two North after a defeat away at Chester.
The home side have been in excellent form this year and continued their impressive run of results by securing their eighth victory from their last 10 matches.
Chester led 13-3 at the break of this contest thanks to a Shaun Strudwick try while Callum Bennett landed eight points.
A Harrison Vare try in the second period put Chester in cruise control but Harrogate hit back in their best spell of the match as Keane Naylor scored a superb solo try.
However, the Cheshire side had the final say on proceedings at Hare Lane as winger James Preston dotted down.
Tynedale 29-25 South Leicester
Tynedale continued cementing their position in the top six of National Two North thanks to a bonus-point victory over South Leicester at Corbridge.
Tyne scored four of their five tries in the first period while South Leicester crossed just once as the hosts led 24-10 at half-time.
Two scores and a penalty inside the first 15 minutes of the second period saw the visitors take the lead for the first time in this contest, but Tyne’s fifth try just after the hour was enough for the north-east side to seal their fifth straight win.
Preston Grasshoppers 15-26 Stourbridge
Stourbridge ended a run of six straight defeats after an impressive victory over Preston Grasshoppers at Lightfoot Green.
Preston were 10-7 ahead at the break following a Sam Gale try and a Lewis Allen penalty while Joe Bridger crossed for Stour.
The visitors then took the lead through Tatenda Mukarati, but just after the hour, Hoppers went back in front as former Stour man Chris Roddy dotted down.
The divisions’ bottom club now held a one point lead, but they were unable to hold on to their advantage as Stour scored two quick fire tries in the final five minutes to secure the victory.
Nathan Tilsey and Chris Depper both crossed for the away side who will be relieved to have returned to winning ways while this defeat for Preston now leaves them 11 points from safety with four matches remaining.
Hinckley 29-13 Luctonians
Hinckley officially secured their safety in National Two North thanks to a controlled and professional performance against Luctonians.
Tries from Scott Hamilton and Alex Salt gave the hosts the lead while Luctonians kicked two first-half penalties.
Ewan Bartlett drove over to increase Hinckley’s advantage but the Lucts hit back through a Zac Watkins score.
Ben Marshall’s try and a penalty from Joe Wilson then pulled Hinckley clear as they sealed their 12th victory of the campaign.
Otley 33-34 Sheffield Tigers
Sheffield Tigers are now five points adrift of safety in National Two North after a vital victory over Otley in a thrilling contest at Cross Green.
Scores from Jamie Broadley (2) and Pete Swatkins as well as 19 points from the boot of Mark Ireland clinched Sheffield’s third away win of the campaign.
The Tigers have now won their last two and they have given themselves a fighting chance of staying in this division. As for Otley, despite outscoring Sheffield by five tries to three, it wasn’t enough for the hosts as they slipped to their fourth straight league defeat.
Scunthorpe 27-26 Wharfedale
Scunthorpe held off a late comeback by Wharfedale to secure a crucial win in their bid to avoid the drop from National Two North.
An early Scott Jordan try for Wharfedale was cancelled out by scores from Dave Garbutt and Ollie Cole as the home side led 12-5.
Scunthorpe were then awarded a Penalty Try on 34 minutes, but a late Josh Prell score kept Dale in touch with their hosts heading into the second period.
Jake Barron secured the bonus-point for the Lincolnshire Greens just before the hour and Danny Bournes extended their lead from the tee.
With clock ticking towards 80, Dale sparked back into life as tries from George Hedgley and Tom Barrett set-up a nervy finish, but Scunthorpe held on to leave them just two points adrift of safety.
