Curry’s hot stuff as Hull pack ’em in
Now that the National 2 North season has run its course, Ben Jaycock canvassed the views of the league’s directors of rugby, head coaches and journalists to compile The Rugby Paper’s 2021-22 Dream Team
Hull secured the title in dramatic fashion with a 31-29 win over archrivals Hull Ioanians to send the inner-city club up to National 1 for the first time in their history and, as a result, Gary Pearce’s side have the majority of inclusions with six.
Title challengers Sedgley Park and Rotherham Titans also have multiple selections after stellar campaigns.
Fifth-place Fylde had the second most with three players, while Sheffield Tigers and Stourbridge have solitary inclusions and are the only sides outside the top five to be represented.
After National 2 North’s two-season hiatus, veterans Matt Riley and Jamie Broadley have showcased their longevity and have retained their places after being included in the 2018-19 version.
15. Tom Carleton (Fylde)
A star man in a very good back division. The potent fullback scored an incredible 29 tries in 28 games and even scored points off the tee with his two conversions. Carleton was pushed all the way by Chester’s Gethin Long, who crossed for 11 tries for the 11th- placed side.
14. Michael Adlard (Hull)
An almost unanimous decision to include a winger who
is as known for his attacking prowess and his 25 tries as he is for his solid defensive capabilities. Adlard has pace to burn and his tries have been the difference for Hull in some important matches. Also impressive was Fylde’s Thomas Grimes.
13. Jamie Broadley (Sheffield Tigers)
A talented outside centre that also operates as the club’s head coach, guiding his side to their highest ever finish – ninth place. The player-coach continues to be a match winner and led by example scoring 19 tries. Elsewhere in the 13 jersey, Duell Trueman played a key part in Hull’s superb season.
12. Andy Riley (Sedgley Park)
A versatile back that is just as comfortable playing 12 as he is 15 and thoroughly deserves a place in the team. Riley touched down for 18 tries in an ever-present season in which he played in all of Sedgley’s 30 games. Rotherham’s Harry Dunne pushed Riley all the way. The former showed his quality as one of the best inside centres in the league.
11. Daniel Rundle (Stourbridge)
Rundle was a key figure for Stourbridge in their promotion push by scoring the joint second most tries with 29. A consistently good performer whose strike rate was over one try per game. Harrison Vare of Chester deserves an honourable mention for his strike rate of scoring in every other game for the midtable side.
10. Greg Smith (Fylde)
A straightforward inclusion for the league’s top points scorer who through five tries, 98 conversions and 19 penalties amassed a sensational tally of 278, which was 36 more than second place Stephen Collins (Sedgley Park). Also impressive at flyhalf was Hull’s Reece Dean.
9. Matt Sturgess (Fylde)
The league’s stand-out scrum-half formed a brilliant partnership alongside Smith and chipped in with 19 tries of his own in just 28 games. The former
Sale Sharks nine’s delivery was also exemplary, but he was pushed all the way by Sedgley’s Danny Openshaw who received his own plaudits for a formidable campaign.
8. Will Hall (Hull)
The spearhead of a hard-hitting and dogged Hull pack that provided the title winners with great front foot ball that their silky backs could capitalise on. Hall was always a threat
from close-range, bundling over to score 11 tries. Elsewhere in the No.8 jersey, Fylde’s David Fairbrother is a strong contender for best eight in the division.
7. Laurence Cowen (Hull)
The openside flanker is a strong performer week in, week out. The former Birmingham Moseley player is someone who is
always threatening over the ball and likely to last the full 80 minutes. Rotherham Titans’ Marcus Payne deserves an honourable mention for his solid campaign.
6. Zakery Poole (Rotherham)
Rotherham’s warrior captain Poole is increasing in maturity and the former Leicester Tigers Academy flanker is a towering presence in the Titans back row, standing at 6ft 3ins and 108kgs. Poole is also the club’s second highest
try scorer with 12. Chester’s Harry Wilkinson has enjoyed a standout campaign at lock and six.
5. Matt Smith (Rotherham)
Smith is a key figure in the engine room of Rotherham’s very good pack. A colossal figure who utilises his size very well as he stands at 6ft 8ins and weighs in at 118kg. Smith was part of an excellent second row partnership with former England U19s lock Matt Challinor, who received numerous votes.
4. Cam Curry (Hull)
There could only be one winner as captain fantastic Curry led Hull to their first ever National 2 North title and enjoyed a very good season, appearing 25 times. Curry led Hull from the front and was a powerhouse in the champions’ dynamic pack. Second row teammate Liam Regardsoe was unfortunate to miss out.
3. Ben Boothman (Hull) A player that grafts all day, Boothman’s experience helped
guide Hull to the title and he is known as the strongest front row in the league. The Yorkshire County prop played 26 times and scored an impressive seven tries this season. Also impressive packing down at tight head was Sedgley’s John Blanchard.
2. Matt Gallagher (Sedgley Park)
Gallagher takes the No.2 jersey via a landslide, with the hooker scoring an unbelievable 36 tries – which beats the previous National 2 North record set 40 years ago. Gallagher enjoyed the fruits of the league’s best driving maul. Jack Lea was a strong performer for Stourbridge.
1. Charlie Beech (Hull)
The former Wasps, Bath and Yorkshire Carnegie prop showcased his Premiership pedigree with a sensational campaign. Beech played 22 times, scoring four tries. The title winners are fortunate to possess two standout loose heads with Tipiloma Kivalu also impressing.