National Two North: Sedgley look to keep top spot
Sedgley Park will be hoping to maintain their 100 per cent start to the season this weekend, but face a difficult home fixture whilst Sandal will be looking to carry on their unbeaten start when they travel away from home for the first time this campaign.
Chester and Leciester Lions will want to continue their impressive opening whilst five teams will be looking to get off the mark this weekend.
National Two North – Round Three Preview
Sedgley Park v Tynedale
We begin with Sedgley Park who are the early table toppers in National Two North after clocking up over 100 points in their opening two games. Wins against Broadstreet and South Leicester have allowed them to do that but they face their toughest test yet when they welcome Tynedale to Park Lane. Sedgley have lost just three times in their last 20 home fixtures – a run which stretches back to February 2014.
As for Tynedale, they got their campaign up and running with a win over Huddersfield last weekend and this new squad – who were relegated from National One last season - are showing signs that they are starting to click. Tynedale have won five of the last six meetings against Sedge including a 9-19 win the last time the sides met at the home of the Tigers.
Harrogate v Sandal
Second placed Sandal have stunned everyone in National Two North with their start to this season. After winning the National Three North play-off last season, they have got off to a flyer with wins over the Luctonians and Stourbridge. They were both at home and now they face their first away trip of the season against Harrogate. Sandal have lost just two of their last 14 away matches.
In terms of Harrogate, they have gone under the radar this season with two very professional and clinical wins under their belts so far. They now take on Sandal looking for their second home win of this campaign. ‘Gate will want to improve on their record of having only won two of their last seven matches on home soil.
Chester v South Leicester
Chester lie third in National Two North and are going about their business in a similar fashion to last season where they began with eight wins from 10 matches. They have beaten Preston Grasshoppers and Broadstreet so far and they host new boys South Leicester this weekend.
As for South Leicester, they have found life tough so far since their promotion from National Three Midlands last season but they do have two bonus points from their first two matches. After games against Huddersfield and Sedgley Park, this fixture against Chester won’t be any easier for South. South won all 13 games on the road last season but have lost their last two meetings against Chester with the most recent being a 0-8 loss in January 2009.
Leicester Lions v Luctonians
The other team from Leicester are having completely contrasting fortunes as the Lions have begun in fine form with two away victories against Tynedale and Otley. That is no easy task and its one Leicester have passed with flying colours. The Lions now welcome the Luctonians to Westleigh Park for their first home match of the season. The Lions have won three of their last four competitive games at home.
In terms of the Luctonians, it looks like the same old story as last season at the moment as they sit 15th in the table. Two defeats to Sandal and Harrogate is the reason for that, but they will know that there was only three points between themselves and Leicester Lions at the end of last season. The Lucts also won 14-12 the last time the sides met which was on the last day of the last campaign.
Stourbridge v Caldy
After a winning start for both sides, Stourbridge and Caldy were on the end of defeats last weekend. Stour were upset by Sandal whilst Caldy were the victims of Macclesfield’s first win since their relegation from National One. Stourbridge go into this game having won four of their last six home games and with aims that they can push on for promotion after an injury hit season last year.
Caldy will also be hoping to mount a challenge for promotion and their win against Sale FC on the opening day proved that they meant business. It was a narrow defeat against Macclesfield and it meant that the Wirral outfit have won just five of their last 17 away matches. One of those matches was at Stourbridge last season when they won 29-30, but Stour boast the better head-to-head with four wins from the last six meetings.
Macclesfield v Preston Grasshoppers
As we have just mentioned, Macc got their season up and running with that win over Caldy and they will be looking to make it two wins from two at Priory Park when they welcome Preston Grasshoppers this Saturday. The Blues lost to Stourbridge on the opening day, but looked very good against Caldy last weekend.
Their opponents are Preston who also secured their first win of the season last week with victory over Sale FC at Lightfoot Green and coach Garth Dew will be hoping his side can build on that victory. The Hoppers and Macc last met in National 2 North during 2013/14 season and Macclesfield were victorious both home and away. In fact, the Cheshire side have won the last six meetings between the two sides. The last time Preston beat Macclesfield was back in January 2007 when they won 32-18.
Huddersfield v Otley
Huddersfield failed to capitalise on their opening day win against South Leicester as they were beaten by Tynedale on the road last week. It was always going to be a tough test for them and they can respond with victory over an Otley side who are short on confidence at the minute.
Otley have lost both of their games this season and have now picked up just one win in their last 11 National Two North games. Otley have suffered some injures this season, but away from that, they have won just four away games in their last 16 attempts. They lost this fixture against Huddersfield 13-6 last season, but did beat them 47-7 at home.
Sale FC v Broadstreet
Sale FC return to Heywood Road after a defeat to Preston Grasshoppers last weekend. The National Three North champions are yet to win this season and know they cannot afford to make losing a habit. Sale have won 12 of their last 14 games on home turf and were impressive, in parts, against Caldy on the opening day.
They welcome Broadstreet this weekend who have had a wretched start to the new season. After finishing seventh last year, ‘Street would’ve been looking to build on that, but they have unfortunately digressed. They have already conceded 89 points this season, but I think both of these teams will feel that this fixture is the perfect opportunity to pick up their first win of the season.
