The TRU View: National Two North’s leading trio lay down early markers
Their have been contrasting fortunes for Fylde and Preston Grasshoppers in the opening weeks of the National Two North season
©Chris Farrow
Sedgley Park, Hull Ionians and Preston Grasshoppers maintained their unbeaten starts as Talking Rugby Union’s six focus clubs went head-to-head on a high-scoring afternoon.
Three rounds into the National League Rugby season, an intriguing pattern is beginning to emerge in National Two North.
Sedgley Park and Hull Ionians lead the standings with maximum returns of 15 points, while Preston Grasshoppers sit immediately behind them after also winning their opening three matches.
It was a particularly useful weekend for Talking Rugby Union’s continued coverage of the division.
Our six early-season focus clubs were paired against one another, with Sedgley hosting Tynedale, Preston entertaining Harrogate and Hull Ionians welcoming Fylde.
The three matches produced 220 points and 32 tries, underlining the attacking ambition throughout the league, but also offering plenty for the respective coaching teams to review.
Sedgley Park 33-16 Tynedale
Sedgley Park made it three wins from three with a bonus-point victory at Park Lane, although Tynedale remained competitive for long periods.
The visitors struck first when James Lythgoe broke down the right, and Joshua Leslie converted, but Sedgley responded quickly through Luke Cole.
Scrum-half Jacob Tansey and prop Danny Rylance added further converted tries as the Tigers established a 21-13 advantage by half-time. Leslie’s two penalties had kept Tynedale firmly in contention.
Another Leslie penalty shortly after the restart reduced the deficit to five points, but Sedgley gradually took control of the contest.
Cole powered over from a driving maul in the 58th minute, with Greg Smith’s conversion stretching the lead to 28-16 and securing the Tigers’ try bonus point.
Tynedale enjoyed possession inside Sedgley territory during the closing stages but could not find a way through the home defence. Cole then completed his hat-trick from another maul with the final play of the match.
The detailed scoring panel confirmed Cole’s tries came in the 11th, 58th and 80th minute. His contribution takes him to five tries from the opening three league games.
It was another demonstration of Sedgley’s ability to win in different ways. Their driving maul became increasingly influential, while the Tigers showed composure when Tynedale reduced the margin early in the second half.
The final score was comfortable, but Tynedale’s performance was more competitive than the 17-point margin might suggest. Their next challenge is to turn periods of territory and possession into more points.
Preston Grasshoppers 52-33 Harrogate
There was no shortage of entertainment at Lightfoot Green, where Preston Grasshoppers ran in seven tries to defeat an ambitious Harrogate side.
Hoppers scored six first-half tries to lead 45-5, another indication of the strong start Dan Orwin's side have made to the new campaign.
Harrogate refused to disappear from the contest and contributed five tries of their own. Amrit Sharma, Greg Minkin, Tom Steene, Matt Leatham and Sam Gott were all among the visitors’ scorers as the Yorkshire side continued to threaten.
However, Preston maintained sufficient control of the scoreboard to secure their third successive victory and another attacking bonus point.
Following the previous weekend’s derby victory at Fylde, this represented another important step for Hoppers. They have collected 14 points from their opening three matches and sit only one point behind joint leaders Sedgley and Hull.
Newly-promoted Harrogate remain well placed despite the defeat. They have won two of their opening three fixtures and again demonstrated enough attacking quality to trouble most sides in the division.
Both coaching teams will nevertheless examine the number of points conceded. Preston’s attacking return was outstanding, but allowing Harrogate to score 33 ensured the contest remained open for longer than the hosts would have wanted.
Hull Ionians 57-29 Fylde
Hull Ionians joined Sedgley on a maximum 15 league points after overwhelming Fylde in a remarkable 14-try contest at Brantingham Park.
Only four points separated the sides at half-time, but Hull pulled decisively clear after the interval to complete a 57-29 victory.
Ben Hyde was the outstanding finisher, crossing four times, while Oliver Arnold scored a hat-trick. A penalty try and an effort from Ben Stephenson completed The I's nine-try total.
Fylde played their part in an expansive encounter. Gabriel Maguire, James Sutcliffe, Will Kelso, Michael Walton and Ben Turner crossed for the visitors, but they could not contain Hull once the home side increased the tempo after the break.
The result makes Ionians one of the early stories of the National Two North season. They have scored 116 points across their opening three fixtures and sit behind Sedgley only on points difference.
For Fylde, it was a second successive defeat following their Lancashire derby loss against Preston. They have shown their attacking ability, but 95 points conceded in three games identifies an area which will require attention.
Three unbeaten sides set the pace
Behind the early trio of pace-setters are Darlington Mowden Park and Harrogate, who have each recorded two victories, while Tynedale and Fylde find themselves in the lower half after collecting one win apiece.
It remains far too early to draw firm conclusions, but the opening rounds have already presented an intriguing contrast between the leading clubs.
Sedgley’s maul, defensive resilience and ability to manage important periods have provided the platform for their perfect start.
Hull are setting the attacking pace with their powerful forward pack, while Preston have combined a strong set-piece with enough individual quality to score from several areas of the field.
Harrogate, Fylde and Tynedale have all demonstrated attacking potential. Greater defensive control and the ability to turn promising periods into points could quickly transform their positions.
Around the National Leagues
Leeds Tykes produced National One’s biggest victory of the weekend, defeating London Scottish 57-10, while Sale FC won 45-15 at Bury St Edmunds.
Plymouth Albion swept aside Sheffield 47-5, Birmingham Moseley edged Dings Crusaders 35-31 and Camborne continued their promising start with a 40-26 victory at Rosslyn Park.
Two matches were decided by the narrowest of margins. Bishop’s Stortford won 34-31 at Rams, while Tonbridge Juddians emerged from a remarkable 105-point contest with a 53-52 victory over Cambridge.
Oundle maintained their perfect National Two East start by beating Havant 39-26. Guernsey defeated Henley 39-19 and Old Albanian won 55-24 at Westcombe Park.
In National Two West, Clifton’s perfect opening continued with a 34-32 success over Hornets. Third-placed Taunton Titans were emphatic 61-21 winners at Exeter University, while Redruth (2nd) defeated Barnstaple 28-14.
For Talking Rugby Union, we will continue to focus on NLR and bring you more stories. Each week, we will also add new focus clubs.
.jpg "Max Ashcroft (left) in action for Sedgley Park")
