Harrogate slip into bottom three as the Tigers continue to roar
Harrogate have dropped into the relegation places in National Two North as they suffered a defeat against Otley while rivals Sheffield Tigers clinched a crucial win over South Leicester.
The Tigers have won four of their last five games and their superb revival means they are now a point clear of the drop zone heading into the final round of action next weekend.
As for Harrogate, their loss at home to Otley leaves them 14th in the table and their fate is now out of their hands with just one game remaining in the season.
Fellow relegation candidates Scunthorpe boosted their survival chances with a much needed win over Luctonians which leaves the Greens three points from safety.
At the top of the table, Sale FC need just one more victory to ensure that the National Two play-off will be held at Heywood Road after a convincing win over Preston Grasshoppers while the newly crowned champions, Caldy, were given a scare at Wharfedale.
Elsewhere in National Two North, both Leicester Lions and Sedgley Park secured home wins while Tynedale are up to fifth in the table after victory away at Stourbridge.
Wharfedale 19-20 Caldy
Caldy survived a spirited comeback to stretch their winning streak to 21 matches at they beat Wharfedale at the Avenue.
The newly crowned National Two North champions were 17-7 ahead at half-time thanks to tries from Jack Beevers and Nicolas Royle whilst Gavin Roberts slotted over seven points to put Caldy in control.
Dale’s only score of the first period came via James Tincknell, but it was first blood to the hosts after the break as Joe Altham smashed his way over to make it 17-14.
James Doherty’s side then went ahead five minutes later as James Guy scored under the posts but Roberts kicked another penalty just before the hour to snatch victory for Caldy.
Sale FC 59-14 Preston Grasshoppers
Sale FC ran in nine tries to move closer to securing a home National Two play-off with victory over Preston Grasshoppers at Heywood Road.
Early tries by Gareth Rawlings and Paolo Odogwu put the hosts ahead, but two quick-fire scores from Connor Trueman and Jacob Browne gave already relegated Preston a shock lead midway through the first period.
However, the home side responded as Joe Kelly burrowed his way over before Tom Davenport darted across to put Sale back in control.
Odogwu’s second-half try plus scores from Sam Stelmaszek, Laurence Sanderson and Ciaran Connolly completed a dominant second half by Sale.
Leicester Lions 49-12 Hinckley
Leicester Lions tightened their grip on third spot in National Two North after a one-sided victory over Hinckley at Westleigh Park.
The Lions simply had too much pace and too much strength for their opponents, running in seven tries in Andy Key’s final home game in charge of the Midlands club.
Key’s men were 32-7 at half-time in this encounter with Alex Crocker going over for the visitors and Hinckley reduced the deficit just after the break as Alex Salt barged across the whitewash.
However, Hinckley suffered a number of injuries in the second period and Leicester capitalised on their misfortune running in three more tries to seal their 13th home win of the campaign.
Sedgley Park 33-29 Chester
Sedgley Park edged out Chester in a thriller at Park Lane to confirm a top four finish in National Two North.
Dean Schofield’s men ran in five tries to edge out their Cheshire opponents as Sedge secured their 12th home win of the season.
The Manchester-based side may still harbour ambitions of finishing in third place as they sit just three points behind Leicester Lions heading into the final weekend of the season while Chester can only finish as high as fifth after suffering their fifth defeat in a row against sides directly above them.
Stourbridge 24-52 Tynedale
Tynedale maintained their excellent recent form by inflicting a defeat on Stoubridge at Stourton Park.
Jack Harrison’s double along with scores from Matt Outson and James Spencer helped put Tynedale 26-12 up, with Ben Tibbetts and James Othutaha going over in response.
Stour’s Nigel Mukarati and Ciaran Moore went over either side of tries from Ben Frankland and Aedan Moloney as Tyne continued to stay in control of this contest during the second period.
And the visitors, who have now won seven of their last eight matches, wrapped up proceedings as Jack Ouston and Ash Smith crossed late on.
Sheffield Tigers 49-22 South Leicester
Sheffield Tigers moved out of the relegation places in National Two North after a convincing win over South Leicester in Yorkshire.
The hosts led 25-17 at the break at Dore Moor thanks to tries by Jamie Broadley, Lee Monks and Ed Simmons.
And a try after the restart by Chris Pond stretched the Tigers’ advantage further before Swatkins crossed for his second to clinch the crucial win for Sheffield who continue their remarkable revival.
Harrogate 15-35 Otley
Harrogate have dropped into the relegation spots in National Two North after a derby defeat to Otley.
The visitors blew Gate away with tries from Jack Blakeney-Edwards, Tom Hodson and Jason Moss to lead 21-10 at half-time.
Harrogate’s points had come via a penalty try as well as the boot of Sam Fox and the home fly-half was involved in their second try of the afternoon as his pass allowed Ben Dixon to cross in the corner.
With 20 minutes to go, this match was in the balance but Dixon’s try would prove to be Harrogate’s last points of the day as a penalty try and a score from Tom O’Donnell clinched the win for Otley.
This defeat for Harrogate now leaves them a point behind Sheffield Tigers which means Gate must better Sheffield’s result on the final day of the season next weekend otherwise their stay at this level could be over.
Luctonians 19-25 Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe have handed themselves a lifeline in the battle against relegation after they beat Luctonians at Mortimer Park.
The Greens began the game six points from safety, but their second away win of the season has moved them to within just three points of 13th place.
Scores from Jack Barron and Colin Chapman as well as a penalty try helped Scunthorpe into a 22-7 half-time lead after Henry Monkley had opened the scoring for the Lucts.
Frank Kelly helped to reduce Scunthorpe’s lead after the break as he gathered a cross-field kick to touch down and when Louis Silver went over with seven minutes remaining, the momentum was firmly with the hosts.
However, Scunthorpe stood firm in defence and their efforts were rewarded as Jack Badley landed a penalty with one minute to go to seal a huge win for Tim Robinson’s side.
