National League 2

Sedge travelled south battered and bruised from last week’s encounter against high flyers Ampthill, to Leicester Lions; who not only pummelled Sedge last time out but were in top form having just beaten Ampthill.

Preston Grasshoppers took advantage of Stockport mistakes as they came from behind to win 34-7 at Lightfoot Green.

The Christmas period is over and now we are well into the second half of the 2014/15 season. Here is an update on how it stands in National Division Two South since the Christmas break.

The Christmas spirit is long gone and the main focus is back to playing rugby for the National Two North sides. Here is what happened before the Christmas break and on the first weekend of 2015. We will also be looking ahead to this weekend’s fixtures.

Mark Edwards’ last minute penalty earned Stockport a deserved 27-27 draw at home to Birmingham and Solihull.

Christmas is just around the corner and after league leaders Henley Hawks suffered a shock defeat last weekend to Worthing Raiders, they will want to head into the festive break in high spirits. Dorking will have other ideas as they will want to sit at the top of tree going into 2015 whist in the bottom half teams will want to give themselves a good platform to work from heading into the New Year.

I am sure Hull Ionians along with Ampthill and District will be having a very Merry Christmas with both sides flying in this division in what has become a two horse race for the title. The battle for third and fourth continues with just six points separating third and seventh whilst no Christmas cheer will be shared out amongst the sides who are fighting for their survival in this division.

The first half of the season is over and Henley have been in top spot since week one, but their lead was cut short to just a point as their 100 per cent start to the season ended on Saturday. Dorking took full advantage of this and eight of the top nine were all victorious meaning the bottom half remains extremely close. Here is what happened in Round 15.

At the midpoint of the season, it is starting to become clearer that it is now just Hull Ionians and Ampthill who will be the sides battling it out for promotion and the title in National Two North. Below them, the teams are fighting for the other places in the top four whilst the bottom half continues to be tight.

A battle of the roses that went the way of the white rose in a seven try demolition. This was a big win for the home team but more of that later; it wouldn't be Lancashire versus Yorkshire without moaning and complaints.

Leicester Lions ended their three match losing streak in style as they ran in nine tries to beat an injury hit Stockport 55-0 in National League 2 North.

Henley continue their charge with Dorking still hunting them down, Taunton lose ground and the Cornish All Blacks continue their surge up the table after Round 14 of the National League Two Division South.

It certainly is a two horse race for the title with both Hull Ionians and Ampthill winning once again. Along with that, the top six were all victorious, Preston and Huddersfield played out a thriller and Broadstreet continued their remarkable turnaround.

Stockport were left frustrated by a Broadstreet side who scored five tries as they came away from Headlands Road with a 39-3 victory in National League 2 North.

A pack rampant in the loose but with power and control in the set piece, this was a Tigers pack that meant business, and one that set up a 47-15 win over Hull in National League 2 North.

The two top win once again, but below them the top half is tighter than ever. The bottom half is also starting to follow suit after another excellent weekend of National Two North action.

It was a solid performance from the top four this weekend in National Two South as they all picked up victories and with that came, no change at the top as Henley Hawks made it 13 wins in a row.

Stockport were overpowered by a strong Otley side who condemned Port to their third straight National League 2 North defeat by winning 41-12 at Cross Green.

The race for the top four continues to hot up whilst it seems that it is just Hull Ionians and Ampthill who are fighting for the title. The bottom half is also starting to get tight as we enter week 13 in National Two North.

Henley Hawks are really starting to run away with this division having maintained their 100 per cent record last weekend with a win over Redruth.