Hinckley, Scunthorpe and Preston the pick of the bunch

National Two North returned this weekend and it did so in style as Round One of this season’s competition delivered some cracking rugby and some interesting results.

Runners-up from last season Sedgley Park had to fight hard for their victory over Caldy while promotion candidates Leicester Lions and Stourbridge both began with wins.

Wharfedale were relegated from National One last term, but didn’t get off to a positive start as Garth Dew’s Preston Grasshoppers side stunned the Skipton outfit on Saturday.

There were also shocks at Harrogate and Scunthorpe as newly promoted Hinckley produced an outstanding performance at Ruddling Lane to beat ‘Gate while Scunthorpe, also taking their bow in this division, beat Chester.

Elsewhere, Sale FC produced an assured performance at home to Otley while the Luctonians continue to impress.

Leicester Lions 24-20 Tynedale

Leicester Lions came from behind to earn an opening day victory over Tynedale.

Both sides matched each other early on, but tries from Ethan Phillips and Devon Constant (2) did leave the Lions trailing 20-19 heading into the final 10 minutes of the match.

But on the 79^th minute, Sam Benjamin danced through the Tyne defence to seal victory for the Lions who seem to have picked up from where they left off last year.

Sale FC 27-3 Otley

Sale FC kicked off the National League Two season with a comfortable win over Otley at Heywood Road.

Full-back Tom Hodgson gave Otley a 3-0 lead with a seventh minute penalty, but Liam McGovern levelled the scores shortly after.

Chris Johnson then landed a drop-goal on the stroke of half-time to ensure Sale went into the break ahead.

Sale then extend their lead seconds after the restart as Chris Mayor darted over in the right corner before McGovern nudged his side further in front with another penalty.

McGovern kicked another two penalties either side of the hour to make it 20-3 before prop Joe Kelly touched down from close range in the final 10 minutes of the match to secure the win.

Harrogate 7-21 Hinckley

Newly promoted Hinckley got off to a flying start as they began their life in National Two North with an excellent win away at Harrogate.

This is Hinckley’s first season at this level for six years, but their first 40 minutes back in the fourth tier of rugby was a dream start for them.

The visitors had carved out a 21-0 lead by the interval thanks to a Penalty Try, a touchdown from Jacob Umaga while Matthew Fearn also dotted down. Connor Eastgate added the extras and despite Harrogate crossing in the second period, Hinckley headed back down the M1 with the victory.

Sheffield Tigers 10-22 Luctonians           

The Luctonians claimed victory over newly promoted Sheffield Tigers to get their new season underway.

Lucts finished strongly last term winning 14 of their last 20 matches and Alex Davidson’s men were keen to replicate that good form.

And they did it with ease, thanks to tries from Jordan Street, Piers Morell and Louis Silver.

Sheffield were level in this contest at one stage, but the visitors took the game away from the Tigers in the second period to seal the win.

Wharfedale 12-20 Preston Grasshoppers

Preston Grasshoppers got their season off to the perfect start as they came away from Wharfedale with an excellent win and the performance to match.

Wharfedale were relegated from National One last season and following Saturday’s defeat, they will know a route back to the third tier won’t be straight forward.

A try by Sam Gale and penalty from Lewis Allen gave Hoppers an 8-6 lead at half-time with Tom Barrett kicking the points for Dale.

Chris Taylor dotted down for Preston 10 minutes from the end after the away side had withstood heavy pressure from Dale. The hosts then started to go on the offensive, but it was Preston who would have the final say as Conor Trueman dived over to earn victory for Garth Dew’s men.

Stourbridge 19-13 South Leicester

Stourbridge beat a resilient South Leicester at Stourton Park to begin their new campaign with a victory.

The hosts led 12-0 at the break thanks to the boot of Luke White who slotted four penalties on his debut.

However, South hit back after the restart as Gareth Clarke and Ricci Aley gave them a 13-12 lead.

On the hour mark, Stour were reduced to 14-men but they dug deep and finally got their just reward as Tom Harrison dotted down to help the home side clinch victory.

Sedgley Park 16-13 Caldy

Sedgley Park began the 2016/17 season with a victory as they edged out Caldy after the visitors had led at half-time.

Forbes Edwards’ try, which was converted by Jack Lavin, was exactly what Caldy deserved in the opening 40 minutes as Sedgley Park failed to go through the gears in the first-half.

However, the runners-up from last season improved in the second period and had TalkingRugbyUnion's very own Max Skofic to thank as he scored the winning try.  The Slovenian captain was on debut and showed great awareness and pace to take the pass from Steve Collins to snatch the win after Sedge had kicked three penalties to get themselves back into the contest.

Scunthorpe 15-13 Chester

Callum Bennett missed a late penalty as Scunthorpe held on to earn a narrow win over Chester following promotion to National Two North.

Scunthorpe led 12-3 at the break thanks to tries from Will Robinson,and James Dyson with Chester only managing to knock over one their penalty attempts in awful weather conditions in Yorkshire.

Bennett then reduced the gap with Chester’s second penalty of the afternoon soon after half-time, but Steve Johnson restored Scunthorpe’s nine point lead moments later.

Chester survived waves of Scunthorpe pressure and looked like it would be a smash and grab victory when they went over for their opening try of the game which Bennett converted. However, the Chester centre couldn’t add another three points to his tally as a late penalty was off target as Scunthorpe clung on for the win.