National 2: High flyers and low riders

Here we take a look at both National 2 North and South, and which teams have won the promotion race into National 1 and those teams in danger of relegation ahead of the last round of fixtures.

National Two North

With six titles now confirmed from National One down to all four National Three leagues, the only championship yet to be decided is National Two North. Throughout this season it has been a two horse race for automatic promotion to National One and now it has come down to the final day of the season between Hull Ionians and Ampthill and District.

As it stands, Hull Ionians are three points clear of Ampthill and know a win away at Caldy this weekend will clinch the title. Hull Ionians need a minimum of three points to win the league and anything less will open the door for Ampthill.

Ampthill are away to bottom club Stockport with many people predicting a five point win for the visitors, but Stockport will not be rolling over and gifting Ampthill the points. Ampthill know they must win to stand any chance of winning the title.

At the wrong end of the table, the relegation battle is closer than ever. Two of Birmingham and Solihull, Hull, Luctonians and Preston Grasshoppers will join Stockport back in National Three next season. Currently it is Birmingham and Solihull and Hull who are in the drop zone with the Luctonians three points clear and Preston a further five points clear.

Preston know all they need is a point away at Hull this weekend to make sure they are in National Two next season. As for the Luctonians, they need a minimum of three points at home to Leicester Lions to maintain their National Two status.

Meanwhile Hull know they must beat Preston to have a chance of staying in National Two whilst Birmingham and Solihull need a bonus point win at Cross Green against an out of form Otley side if they stand any chance of playing level four rugby next season. I am sure positions will be ever changing on Saturday afternoon!

Elsewhere on the final day of this campaign, there is still a top three finish up for grabs. Sedgley Park occupy third spot at the minute, but they are four points clear of Chester, Harrogate and Caldy who all have eyes on going above Sedge this weekend.

Sedge’s recent form has been superb and they are in pole position for third place and they know a minimum of two points away at Broadstreet would seal that place. Chester go to ninth place Huddersfield whilst Harrogate travel to Stourton Park to play Stourbridge. Caldy have the toughest task of them all as they host Hull Ionians.

Round 30 Fixtures

Broadstreet v Sedgley Park

Caldy v Hull Ionians

Huddersfield v Chester

Hull v Preston Grasshoppers

Luctonians v Leicester Lions

Otley v Birmingham and Solihull

Stockport v Ampthill and District

Stourbridge v Harrogate

National Two South

There has always been one team leading the way in this division from the word go and on March 28^th, Henley Hawks were crowned champions for the National Two South 2014/15 season. That convincing victory over Shelford secured their 23^rd win of the season and now with one game to go, they are 12 points clear of second placed Bishops Stortford. It has been quite a season for the Hawks.

In fairness, there was only one tiny moment in this campaign, around Christmas, where Henley suffered a slight blip. But whilst teams below them started to drop points and league positions swapped and changed, the Hawks kept their composure and with just four defeats all season, they thoroughly deserve their place in National One next year.

Behind Henley, the situation is much different. Three months ago, it looked nailed on that Dorking would be going into a play-off with either Hull Ionians or Ampthill and District from National Two North, but their form since then has put a huge dent in their promotion plans. Since the turn of the year, they have won just five games from 13 matches which has seen them drop to fourth.  They are still in a race with Bishops Stortford and Taunton for a shot at National One, but they may feel they should have had this wrapped up long ago.

Currently, its Bishops Stortford who occupy second place with Taunton just two points behind them in third. Stortford have won eight of their last nine matches whilst Taunton are currently the form side in the league with five straight wins under their belts.

This weekend, Bishops Stortford host ninth place the Cornish All Blacks, Taunton are at home to an in form Cambridge side whilst Dorking travel to Henley who have lost just once at Dry Leas this season. If we follow the form guide, it will be Stortford who will be in the play-offs, but as we have seen over the course of this year; anything can happen.

At the other end of the spectrum, we already know that Dings Crusaders and Shelford have been relegated back to National Three, but there is still one relegation place to be decided.

It will be a straight shootout between Lydney and Southend Saxons this weekend with the Saxons needing a minimum of a bonus point to secure their survival. Lydney are away to Shelford and know anything less than a bonus point win will see them relegated. Southend do have a tough task away at 10^th place Redruth who have lost just four times this season at home, but just one point will keep Southend in this division next season.

Other fixtures on the final day of the season see Worthing Raiders need just a point to secure 5^th place as they travel to the Old Elthamians, whilst Chinnor will be hoping to sneak into the top six with a win over bottom side Dings Crusaders. Elsewhere Canterbury and Clifton will be playing for 11^th place this Saturday.

Round 30 Fixtures

Bishops Stortford v Cornish All Blacks

Canterbury v Clifton

Dings Crusaders v Chinnor

Henley Hawks v Dorking

Old Elthamians v Worthing Raiders

Redruth v Southend Saxons

Shelford v Lydney

Taunton Titans v Cambridge