First team show signs of recovery
WITH all but the 1st XV having a ‘free’ weekend there is not a lot to report this week but clearly as we approach the halfway point in the campaign there is still a great deal to play for.
That is especially so for the Senior XV who are now beginning to show signs of a recovery despite a narrow defeat over on the East Coast last Saturday when they returned from Brantingham Park on the back of a narrow 18-16 defeat.
By all accounts, it should have been a win.
However the stats don’t lie and despite taking a point the side lie second bottom of National Two North just above Peterborough Lions and eight points behind Leicester Lions who are third from bottom in the ‘danger area’ of the table for the dreaded relegation come next April.
It is therefore essential that as we approach the ‘half way’ point in the season this Saturday when Stourbridge come to Priory Park on the back of a high scoring 38-32 home defeat by Preston Grasshoppers that the lads grasp the Bull by the horns and go for that important home victory and with your help from the touchline that can be done.
As indicated the 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams all had a day off on Saturday but round Two North there were plenty of interesting games and some high scoring ones at that with Cheshire rivals – Chester – taking the points against visiting Sedgley Park 24-12. Fylde and Huddersfield drew 20-20 on the Lancashire coast.
Peterborough Lions did their cause no harm at the base of the table with a 28-27 home victory over Sheffield Tigers while Otley came away from South Leicester with a 14-13 scoreline in their favour. Wharfedale accounted for Tynedale 18-3 in the Dales and at Hinckley the home side got the better of Leicester Lions in a Midlands ‘Derby’ by 26-19.
The National Two North table at the moment sees Hull Ionians on top with 58 points followed by Chester on 54 and Hinckley along with Huddersfield on 48 after fourteen games but it is at the other end of the table where we have to look and ensure that as the mid season approaches we look to improve our position and move up the table to safety.
It can be done but it will need the support of all with Priory Park at heart to rally round and give your support, starting at 3pm on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the National leagues it looks like Hull – currently runaway leaders of the North Premier League – will be playing in Two North next season along with Scunthorpe from the Midlands league but at this stage it would be foolhardy to make any firm predictions as there is much Rugby to be played so simply watch this space for regular updates. Games for Saturday as follows:- 1st XV v. Stourbridge – Home – 3.pm. 2nd XV v. Vale of Lune – Away 3rd XV v. Wirral 2 – Home 4th XV v. Linley & Kidsgrove 2nd’s – Away
That’s it for now – enjoy your Rugby – I do!
NEXT April, 28 of the club’s U12s are jetting off to Barcelona in Tour. The boys have already been busy fundraising for the trip and will be pushing to raise more money at the Club’s Christmas festivities, over the weekend of the 15th & 16th December.