National Two North: Sedgley return to winning ways as pressure mounts at the top

Sedgley Park put their defeat to Sandal behind them as they tasted victory once again to remain top of National Two North after seven rounds

Macclesfield‘s imperious form of late keeps them on the trail of Sedgley with Caldy and Sandal not far behind.

Elsewhere, Huddersfield, Stourbridge and Sale FC all picked up home wins while the points were shared in Lancashire as Preston Grasshoppers and South Leicester played out a draw.

Sedgley Park 35-11 Harrogate

Sedgley Park returned to winning ways as they put in a commanding performance to see off Harrogate at Park Lane.

After losing their unbeaten start to the season last weekend to Sandal, Park ran in four first half tries via Jonny Matthews, Robert Birtwell, Matthew Lamprey and Jamie Harrison to take complete control of this encounter.

They led 28-6 at half-time with Harrogate’s points coming through the boot of Lewis Minikin.

It was a try a piece in the second 40 as Callum McShane claimed Sedge’s fifth score of the afternoon while winger Harry Parish dotted down for the visitors who have now lost four games this season.

Macclesfield 38-27 Otley

Macclesfield were made to work hard for this victory over Otley, but this win was the Blues’ sixth in a row as they continue to keep the pressure on Sedgley.

The hosts, who have been flawless at Priory Park so far this season, were actually  behind at the break after a very tight first 40 minutes.

Tries from Rhodri Mayor, David Marwick and Elliot Brierley for Macclesfield were matched by Matthew Heaton, Stephen Depledge and Henry Roberts for Otley. Depledge converted two of the tries and slotted over a penalty to give the men from Cross Green a 19-22 half-time advantage.

But Macc showed why they have been in scintillating form recently as Mayor and Marwick both touched down again in the second period only after Joshua Fowles scored his fourth try in two weeks.

Alexander Beaumont secured Otley a losing bonus point with a try four minutes from time, but it was the men from Cheshire who continue to march on.

Caldy 40-29 Tynedale

I feel in recent weeks all the talk may have been about Sedgley, Macclesfield and even Sandal.

While those teams seem to have been deservedly grabbing the headlines, Caldy have gone about their business effectively and they secured their fifth win of the season on Saturday.

It seemed to be a pulsating match at Paton Field as nine tries were scored overall. Tyne, who have won just once since being relegated from National One last season, did lead going into half-time thanks to a brace from flanker Joe Mills and one from winger David Marshall.

Scrum-half Benjamin M Jones scored all 16 of Caldy’s first half points including a try midway through the half.

Tyne extended their advantage to 16-26 after the break as Marshall landed his second try, but a double salvo from Forbes Edwards inside three second half minutes gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match – Jones converting one of Edwards’ tries.

An Ashley Smith penalty then regained the lead for Tynedale, but two quick fire tries from Nicholas Royle and Stuart Cross put clear water between Caldy and Tyne as the Wirral side now sit third in the table – four points off Sedgley.

Chester 14-22 Sandal

Sandal’s impressive start continued on Saturday as a James Briscoe inspired performance helped them on their way to their sixth win of the season away at Chester – who have now lost their last three matches at home.

Sandal were promoted via the National Three North play-off last season and their results so far this season can no longer be considered as ‘surprising’ after some superb displays.

They were narrowly behind 9-8 at half-time as three Callum Bennett penalties for Chester cancelled out Briscoe’s first try and a Mark Pease penalty.

The Yorkshire side came flying out of the blocks in the second half as Briscoe dotted down twice to seal his hat-trick just before the hour and give Sandal a 9-22 lead.

Winger Simon Frewin was sinbinned for Sandal with 11 minutes remaining and when Peter Towers crossed for Chester moments later, it looked like we might have been in for a grandstand finish but instead, Sandal saw the contest out.

Huddersfield 27-23 Leicester Lions

Four second half penalties from Christopher Bell was the difference at Lockwood Park on Saturday as Huddersfield claimed a much needed third win of the season.

The score was 15-15 at half-time as tries from Thomas Owen and Austen Thompson were equalled by Devon Constant and the in-form Josheph Collingham. Bell and Jonathan Williams kicked five points each in a tightly contested first period.

But after the break, Bell was imperious from the tee. Collingham dotted down to give the Lions the lead four minutes into the second half, but four penalties in 18 minutes from Bell gave ‘Field a 27-20 advantage as ill-discipline from Leicester was severely punished.

William Bishop nudged over a penalty with 10 minutes to go, but Bell’s accurate kicking display was enough for ‘Field to clinch victory.  

Stourbridge 23-15 Broadstreet

Stourbridge moved up to seventh in the table with a win against Broadstreet at Stourton Park despite being reduced to 13 men for a spell in the final quarter of this match.

The hosts led 15-3 at the interval with Joseph Heatley and Will Harding both crossing for Stour with Dan Richards on the scoreboard for ‘Street.

The away side, who picked up their first win of the season last Saturday, then reduced the deficit to five points as Stewart Pearl barged his way over on 52 minutes.

A Thomas Mitchell penalty and a try from winger Joshua Trinham gave Stourbridge a 23-10 lead four minutes later, but that advantage was threatened when back rowers Connor Nicholls and Nigel Mukarati were both yellowed carded.

The onus was now on Broadstreet, but they failed to make a dent in the blue defensive wall and could only manage a consolation try from Todd Freemantle two minutes from the end.

Sale FC 40-30 Luctonians

Sale made it three home wins in a row, but had to come from behind against a spirited Luctonians side who remain bottom of National Two North.

13 points from the boot of scrum-half Louis Silver and tries from William Burton and Daniel Smith edged the visitors ahead at the break with  Smith’s score coming on the stroke of half-time.

Joseph Kelly, John O’Donnell and William Davies all crossed for Sale in a very open first half.

This meant it wasn’t a surprise to see another five tries scored in the second 40.  Scores from Jack Moorhouse and Samuel Stelmaszek gave Sale a 38-23 lead and when O’Donnell dived over for his second, the game was out of the Luctonians reach with 16 minutes still do go.

They did have the final say though as winger John Morris touched down with 10 minutes to go, but despite a much improved performance from the Lucts, it was Sale who were victorious on home soil yet again.

Preston Grasshoppers 29-29 South Leicester

A late Sean Taylor show earned Preston Grasshoppers a draw as they came from 17-29 down to seal three points at Lightfoot Green.

South Leicester, who were promoted into this division this season, have made a solid start to life in National Two and were in a great position at half-time to claim their third win of the season .

Tries from Dale Ager and Gareth Turner helped them into a 10-17 lead at the break with Peter Altham going over for the Hoppers and Taylor kicking five points.

Reece Tomlinson was yellow cared for the home side four minutes after the restart, but that didn’t stop Altham crossing for his second of the afternoon  and with Taylor converting, the scores were level.

Preston were then reduced to 13 men when William Lees was sent to the sin-bin and South took advantage as opposite openside flanker William Evans was sent over.

Replacement Jacob Heath made it 17-29 to South with his try just after the hour mark, but then came Taylor’s cameo.

Two tries in the final five minutes of the made it 27-29 and with just 60 seconds remaining, Taylor held his nerve to convert his second try and save a draw for the home side.