National Two North Review: Round 12

This league never fails to surprise us every single week which proves what a fantastic division this actually is. Once again, it delivered this weekend serving up some edge of the seat action.

Hull Ionians stayed top of the division as they beat Harrogate 29-14 at Brantingham Park stretching their winning run at home to 22 matches. It was a tight affair which was emphasised by the 17-14 half-time score line. But it was the I’s that pulled through with some impressive performances from their forwards in this enthralling encounter to show why they are top of this league.

Second placed Ampthill are now three points behind Hull Ionians as they edged out Caldy 18-13 at Dillingham Park. This was the first meeting between the sides and Ampthill, who last time were left frustrated at home by Huddersfield, thought it could have been a repeat on Saturday after a very valiant  team performance from the visitors. Ampthill weren’t clinical enough at times and were nearly punished by late Caldy pressure, but managed to grind out their seventh straight home win of the season.
Coach’s View
Head Coach Paul Turner commented "A win is a win. We lost control of the game in the second half and were fortunate to withstand the Caldy fight back"
Caldy’s Head Coach Simon Verbickas said:  “We played some smart rugby and in truth we probably should have won. I am encouraged by how well the team bounced back after a poor performance last week. We need to build on this for next week’s home game against Sedgley Park.”

Chester returned back to winning ways on Saturday beating the Leicester Lions 42-10 at Hare Lane. After the departure of Director of Rugby Nic Corrigan last week, this was an important victory for the home side. Chester stay third - eight points behind Ampthill - and have won six of their last seven matches. As for Leicester, they maintain their mid-table status and have still only won once on the road all season.

For the third week running the fourth placed side as swapped round and this time Sedgley Park occupy the spot for the first time since the middle of October after they narrowly beat Huddersfield 21-19 at Park Lane. The hosts dominated proceedings in the first half and deservedly led at the break, but Field fought back strongly in the second period, but just couldn’t find those final points to secure the win. The Tigers are now on 36 points as Huddersfield drop into the bottom half and find themselves 11th without a win in three matches.

Otley have had a tough couple of weeks and it didn’t get much better for them this weekend as Broadstreet produced arguably the result of the weekend beating the Yorkshire side 27-17 in Coventry.  They have showed a huge improvement in recent weeks and have the best form in the bottom half after victory in this first meeting between the sides. Otley raced into a 17-3 lead no thanks to Harry Hudson and Broadstreet had two players sin-binned early on so it looked as if the odds were stacked against them. But Broadstreet turned it around in the second half and secured their second win in a row. Otley are down to 6th and Broadstreet now up to 14th.

Into the bottom half and Stourbridge edged a nail biter at Portway coming away with a 23-25 victory from Birmingham and Solihull. It looked for all the world that the hosts would be picking up their first home win since September 20th but Adam Canning’s 79th minute penalty fell just short. Stour full-back Caolan Ryan was sublime with the boot to help his side to an important fifth victory of the season. Stourbridge are now ninth with Birmingham and Solihull dropping a place to 13th.

It was relief for Preston Grasshoppers this weekend as they won their first match for nearly a month as they saw off the Luctonians 27-8 and secured a bonus point. It has been a difficult few weeks for Garth Dew’s men and that is a massive five points for them as they look to get back into the top half. They will take a lot of confidence into next weekend’s match against Stourbridge. As for the Luctonians four straight defeats as seem them tumble down the table to 15th and it doesn’t get much easier for them next Saturday as they welcome Hull Ionians to Mortimer Park.
Coach’s View
Preston Coach Garth Drew: “That’s what we wanted at the start of the day, it’s been a tough few weeks, and it’s a valuable five points for us. “In the first half we scored some nice tries and played some good rugby, but the second half was very frustrating. A lot of penalties, a few yellow cards but luckily we got over for that bonus point try and that’s the main thing.
“It was massively pleasing that we started well. We’ve had a habit of conceding early in recent games but I thought we went out, stuck to our game plan and got it into the new wingers’ hands and they caused a bit of trouble.”

Last and by no means least was a remarkable game at Headlands Road which saw Stockport let another second half lead slip as visitors Hull came back to win 30-33. Three first half tries from Ashley Platt-Hughes, Paul Millea and Callum Baldwin had given Port a 22-7 lead at the break and they were up 30-14 with just over 20 minutes left. But Hull turned the game on its head and scored 17 points in the final third of the match to claim an unlikely victory. Stockport remain bottom, now 13 points behind Luctonians and Hull move up to 12th.
Coach’s View
Stockport coach Matthew Bebbington: “In the past three games, even though we held on against Huddersfield, there has been a massive drop off in our performance in the second half when we have been up with a comfortable lead.
“What’s responsible for that I’m not sure. Whether it’s the mind-set when it comes to holding onto a lead, whether its fitness or not training in the right way, we will have to have a look at. Its similar mistakes being repeated.”