Sheffield seal National Two North title while Scunthorpe reignite survival bid
Sheffield secure a historic first league title and promotion to National One, while Scunthorpe boost their National Two North survival hopes with thumping victory. (Photo Credit: Colin Fisher)
Sheffield (1st) created history as they powered their way to the National Two North title and secured promotion to National One with a 43-24 victory over Macclesfield (3rd).
Macclesfield made a fast start, with James Oliver dotting down after just two minutes but Sheffield responded swiftly as Will Smith finished off a powerful break from halfway to level the scores.
Knowing that victory would seal the club’s first league title in their 124-year history, the first half was a tense affair but after the break, Anthony Posa’s side began to assert their dominance.
Lewis Taylor and Harry Hughes exchanged tries, but the decisive spell came when Sheffield struck three times in 12 minutes.
Noah Cowan, Rhodri Campbell and Matty Drennan all crossed to open up a commanding 33-14 advantage.
Austin Keogh added a third try for Macclesfield to keep their hopes alive, but Sheffield ultimately had the final say.
A penalty from Callum Posa, son of head coach Anthony, followed by a converted try from the fly-half, sealed a 22nd consecutive victory and confirmed promotion to National One for Sheffield.
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Macclesfield, to their credit, secured a try bonus point late on through Alex Davies moving them level on points with second-placed Tynedale in the race for a play-off place.
At the other end of the table, Scunthorpe (13th) reignited their survival hopes with an emphatic nine-try 61-33 victory over Preston Grasshoppers (10th).
Dylan Martin and Joey Mowbray both crossed twice, while further tries from Oliver Arnold, Ethan Heath-Dury, William Horner, Marcus Payne and Will Robinson completed an impressive win.
Despite Jacob Browne giving Preston an early lead, Scunthorpe took control before the break and surged to a 35-7 advantage at half-time.
Preston replied after the interval, with Scott Richardson, Sam Freeman and Sammy Russell (2) adding tries, but the hosts always remained in control.
The result marked Scunthorpe’s first victory in five matches and lifted them off the bottom of the table. They are now three points behind Rossendale, who occupy the relegation play-off position.
Tony Wilkinson’s side also have a game in hand, against champions Sheffield at the beginning of May, but a challenging April awaits with fixtures against Tynedale, Wharfedale and Darlington Mowden Park.
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