National League 2 North

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

Old Elthamians have been promoted to National One for the first time in their history following a 19-14 victory in the National Two play-off against Sale FC.

Sale FC and Old Elthamians go head-to-head in Saturday’s National Two Play-Off, with promotion to National One the prize for the winner at Heywood Road.

Sheffield Tigers will be playing National Two North rugby next season after a victory over Luctonians kept them in the division.

Sheffield Tigers, Harrogate and Scunthorpe head into Round 30 still fighting for survival in National Two North with each side hoping to still be in this division come tomorrow night.

Harrogate have dropped into the relegation places in National Two North as they suffered a defeat against Otley while rivals Sheffield Tigers clinched a crucial win over South Leicester.

Scunthorpe and Sheffield Tigers are set for a defining weekend in National Two North as both sides continue to work towards safety with just two rounds of action left in the campaign.

Caldy have secured promotion and the National Two North title after a narrow victory over Sale FC in Round 28.

Caldy can be crowned champions of National Two North this weekend with a win over second placed Sale FC, but the visitors to Paton Field will have other ideas.

Pete Swatkins scored two tries to help Sheffield Tigers secure their third straight win which has seen them move to within one point of safety in National Two North.

With four games left of the National Two North season, Preston Grasshoppers’ status in this division is hanging by a thread and if results don’t go in their favour this weekend, the Lancashire may well be relegated.

Sale FC confirmed their place in the top two of National Two North after an enthralling victory over Sedgley Park in Round 26.

In recent weeks the rugby-verse was set aflame by the announcement that the Top 14’s two Parisian clubs Stade Francais and Racing Metro 92 were to merge into one super-club next season.

Just under a year ago, Sale FC were battling to avoid relegation from National Two North, but if you fast-forward 12 months, the Manchester-based club have turned their fortunes and ambitions around.

TRU’s Chris Heal reflects on yet another intriguing weekend in the National Leagues which saw titles lifted, campaigns reignited and revivals continue.

Preston Grasshoppers will travel to Yorkshire this weekend to take on relegation rivals Sheffield Tigers with both sides desperate for a victory.

Promotion battles and relegation fights once again grabbed the headlines in the National Leagues in Round 24 as the twists and turns continued at this crucial stage of the season.

What a crazy, wonderful 7 days we have had watching rugby union and reporting on the latest rugby news. We didn't realise the arrests of James O’Connor and Ali Williams in Paris could lead to so many tweets about white lines!

Last Saturday, Preston Grasshoppers gave themselves a glimmer of hope that they can avoid relegation from National Two North this season and the Lancashire side will be hoping to build on that in Round 24.

The first round of rearranged fixtures was also going to be important for sides fighting for survival across the National Leagues and there was joy for four teams battling to avoid the drop.