National League 2 North review
FEB
A weekend of shocks in National Two North saw all the top four sides lose. Leicester Lions and Bromsgrove completed unlikely doubles over runaway league leaders Loughborough
Students and second- placed Huddersfield respectively, while Westoe went down to the narrowest of defeats at the hands of Otley at Cross Green and Luctonians suffered a heavy
loss away to Preston Grasshoppers.
Loughborough’s 26-17 defeat brought an end to their unbeaten record at home, however they still command a healthy eleven- point lead at the summit thanks to their rivals slipping up.
James Stokes had a splendid match for their conquerors, kicking four penalties as well as improving both his side’s tries. Bromsgrove defied two sin- binnings in the closing stages to
back up their win over Huddersfield earlier in the season with a spirited 16-10 success on their first- ever visit to Lockwood Park.
Otley, meanwhile, breathed life into their battle against relegation by also defying a numerical disadvantage. With his side leading 10-0 flanker Tom O’Donnell was dismissed on the
stroke of half- time by referee Craig Maxwell- Keys for a dangerous tackle. Westoe stormed back to lead 12-10 only for Ben Collins to kick a penalty and win it for Otley in stoppage
time.
The odds are stacked against Kendal avoiding the drop after they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Caldy, but who will join them is anyone’s guess. Wins for Harrogate and Hull
Ionians means there are only three points between 11th- placed Nuneaton, who lost to Hull, and second- from- bottom Leicester Lions.
