National Two North Team of the Year

by Chris Heal Monday 22 May 2017

TRU's pick of National 2 North 16/17

©TRU

Chris Heal and the TRU team select their National Two North team of the year.

In National Two North this season, Caldy were the side that earned promotion to National One after a phenomenal campaign. They won 28 of their 30 matches on their way to clinching the title and we have included three of their players in our team of the year.

Nick Royle, Jack Lavin and Rhys Hayes were shoo-ins after outstanding performances and all three contributed to Caldy's 1060 points which they scored this season. Joining the Caldy trio in the backs are the Sheffield Tigers duo of Jamie Broadley and Pete Swatkins. Both players played a huge role in the Tigers’ revival as they avoided an immediate relegation back down to National Three.

Swatkins takes his place at full-back, but that could have easily gone to Sale FC’s Liam McGovern. McGovern left Sale at the end of this season, but his accuracy from the tee and his all round game certainly helped his side finish in the top two this term. Making up the rest of the backs is Henry Hadfield with his side Tynedale who ended the season strongly as well as Louis Silver who once again played a huge part in Luctonians' campaign.

Sale, who narrowly lost in the play-off to Old Elthamians two weeks ago, do have two inclusions in the forwards. Rhys Davies and Tom Ailes were excellent this term and certainly merit a place in our team with Davies joining Leicester Lions’ Matt Tuckey in the second row.

Speaking of excellent, Hinckley had a superb season after gaining promotion from National Three last year. Despite a slow start to life at this level, they ended the campaign in a well deserved ninth place and skipper Alex Salt was a standout performer for the Midlands side. Salt joins Alies and Chester's Mike Craven in the back row. A mention must also go to Sedgley Park’s Juan Crous who had a fine season at No.8.

Sedge have two inclusions in the front row and once again Jonny Mathews had a wonderful season at hooker. He chipped in with a fair few tries and his consistent performances means he slots into our team in between Otley’s George Burkinshaw and teammate Ben Black.

National Two North

15 Pete Swatkins (Sheffield Tigers)

14 Nick Royle (Caldy)

13 Jamie Broadley (Sheffield Tigers)

12 Rhys Hayes (Caldy)

11 Henry Hadfield (Tynedale)

10 Jack Lavin (Caldy)

9 Louis Silver (Luctonians)

8 Alex Salt (Hinckley)

7 Mike Craven (Chester)

6 Tom Ailes (Sale FC)

5 Rhys Davies (Sale FC)