Swatkins double continues Sheffield Tigers revival
Sheffield Tigers (pictured here against Caldy) have given themselves hope in National Two North
©Derek Salisbury
Pete Swatkins scored two tries to help Sheffield Tigers secure their third straight win which has seen them move to within one point of safety in National Two North.
The Tigers’ resurgence continued in Round 27 as they narrowly beat Hinckley, but their latest victory has given them a real chance of avoiding an immediate relegation back down to National Three.
Their relegation rivals - Preston Grasshoppers, Scunthorpe and Harrogate – all suffered defeats and with three games to go, the battle to stay in this division is intensifying.
At the right end of the table, Caldy continued their march towards the National Two North title while second placed Sale FC remain 10 points behind the Wirral outfit ahead of their clash this coming weekend.
Elsewhere across the division, Wharfedale and Luctonians are on the brink of securing their safetywhile Stourbridge sealed back to back wins for the first time since January.
Harrogate 10-38 Caldy
Caldy scored six tries against National Two North strugglers Harrogate as they edged closer to promotion to National One.
Scores from JJ Dickinson (2), Jack Lavin and a Penalty Try put Caldy 26-3 up at the break, with David Doherty kicking the three points for Gate.
Harrogate had Will Dennis and Tim Heaton yellow-carded on the stroke of half-time, but the hosts were the better side in their absence.
However on the hour, Martin Gerrard went over for Caldy’s fifth score before Nick Royle ensured an easy win for the league leaders.
Phil Wickham grabbed a consolation try late on, but Harrogate are now beginning to look nervously over their shoulder.
Sale FC 28-19 Chester
Sale FC survived an early scare from Chester to seal their 13th straight victory in National Two North.
The visitors dominated the opening stages of this contest at Heywood Road and had a healthy 12-7 lead thanks to two quick-fire scores while Jack Moorhouse darted over for Sale.
But the home side responded after the break with a Penalty Try and a score from Tom Alies to put them nine points clear.
Andrew Hughes’ try on 51 minutes ultimately sealed the win despite Chester scoring their third try of the afternoon late on.
Wharfedale 13-10 Sedgley Park
Wharfedale clinched their eighth home win on the bounce to all but seal their safety in National Two North after a dramatic victory over Sedgley Park at the Avenue.
A first-half try from Max Skofic put Sedge ahead in challenging weather conditions, but Dale hit back 15 minutes into the second period as Harry Bullough crossed to level the scores.
Matt Riley nudged Sedge ahead with a penalty on 69 minutes, but three points from the boot of Tom Barrett followed by a late drop-goal snatched the win for Dale which leaves them 15 points from safety with three matches remaining.
Leicester Lions 40-14 Preston Grasshoppers
Preston Grasshoppers moved closer to relegation as Luke Veebel and Devon Constant both scored twice in a comfortable win for Leicester Lions.
Defeat for Hoppers keeps them 11 points from safety with three matches left to play while the victory for the Lions has moved them back into third place.
Tries from Aniseko Sio, Jamel Hamilton and Veebel helped Leicester into a 19-0 lead at the interval, before Constant secured the bonus-point just after half-time.
Preston’s hard work and determination was then rewarded as Ryan Glynn crossed on 52 minutes, but despite the visitors having the majority of possession, the Lions hammered home their advantage.
Veebel and Constant both grabbed their second scores of the afternoon before Jack Akrigg touched down for a consolation try two minutes from the end.
Stourbridge 36-26 Otley
Stourbridge held off a late fightback to record a six try-to-four victory over Otley at Stourton Park.
Neil Mitchell’s side were mostly dominant and controlled the first half due to scores from Nigel Mukarati, Ciaran Moore and Nathan Tilsey.
Chris Depper and Dan Rundle both dotted down in the second half to make it 31-0 before James White scored the first try of the day for Otley.
Mark George scored a sixth try for Stourbridge, but James Wood’s score sparked a revival by Otley.
Tom Hodson’s try narrowed the gap with seven minutes left before Ben Steele crossed late on to secure a bonus-point for the visitors, but the damage was done by Stour in the first period.
Luctonians 24-17 Tynedale
Luctonians made it three wins from their last four National Two North games with a bonus point triumph over Tynedale.
Tries from Adam Knight and Guy Kirby were cancelled out by Jack Harrison’s brace as the scores were level at 12-12 at half-time.
Tyne went ahead after the break through a James Spencer try, but Will Miller was then yellow-carded for the visitors and the Lucts took full advantage.
Prop Dan Smith’s try put the hosts two points ahead before Johnny Morris’ score wrapped up the win for Luctonians who have all but confirmed their status in this division for another season.
South Leicester 43-10 Scunthorpe
South Leicester edged closer to securing their top-half finish in National Two North as three late tries saw them clinch victory over a committed Scunthorpe.
South scored six tries on their way to their fourth win in five matches and they know victory this coming weekend against Luctonians will secure them a top eight finish.
Nick Cairns and Jacob Heath crossed in the first-half of this encounter with Gaz Tuner, Matt Riddington and Taiye Olowofela scoring after the break along with a Penalty Try.
But up until the final 10 minutes, the score was only 24-10 with Scunthorpe’s try coming via James Dyson while Jack Badley kicked five points, but the Greens fell away and they remain two points from safety.
Sheffield Tigers 27-22 Hinckley
Sheffield Tigers survived a spirited Hinckley performance at Dore Moor to record their third win on the spin and move to within one point of safety in National Two North.
The hosts were behind at half-time as a Josh Smith try and five points from the boot of Joe Wilson put Hinckley 10-7 ahead, Pete Swatkins going over for his 100th try for Sheffield Tigers.
Mark Ireland levelled the scores up from the tee soon after the break, but Luke Coltman’s close range score put Hinckley back in front.
Ireland nudged over another penalty but the decisive moment in the game came shortly after as tries from Jamie Broadley and Swatkins again put the Tigers 10 points ahead with 20 minutes left to play.
Hinckley tried to find a way back into this contest, but could only muster up a late score from Wilson to secure a bonus-point as the Tigers held on for another massive victory.
