How has the new system of play-offs affected National Two (North) ahead of the release of the 2026-27 fixtures in the next few weeks?
Tynedale, who finished the 2025-26 season in 2nd place, were looking for promotion back to National One and had ground advantage over an aspiring Oundle club based in Peterborough who had finished runners up in N2 (East). But against some predictions, the Midlanders came through in a 20-29 performance. So Tyne stay in N2(N) whilst Oundle move on to challenge Birmingham Moseley for a place in National One.
Another excellent win on the road was by Harrogate who visited Rossendale with a place in N2(N) next season up for grabs. The Yorkshire club was always in front at Marl Pits despite a late challenge by the home side. Rossendale drop out of the National League after their first season at this level whilst Harrogate return after a season away.
Already decided was the promotion of Huddersfield and Heath to N2(N) as champions of their respective regional divisions and the departure of Hull RUFC & Scunthorpe to the these divisions.
Our North West friends Sedgley Park have been relegated from N1 to join us in N2(N)
What is to be finally decided is the allocation of a few clubs to the most appropriate division in National Two – that is N2 North, East or West. Given the unpredictability of league performance, it was always likely for there to be problems in getting the best and fairest balance. To illustrate this, consider the allocation of two North West clubs – Lymm and Chester – to N2 (West) last season. This required them to travel huge distances to numerous clubs in Cornwall, Devon & Somerset with the consequential affects on finances and the time wasted on travelling for the players and support staff.
So we have 16 Northern clubs who would be most sensibly placed in N2(North) in the 2026-7 season. These have to be reduced to 14 with the reallocation of two of them to be placed in N2(West) or N2(East.
Tynedale NE
Macclesfield NW
Ionians Y
DMP NE
Fylde NW
Wharfedale Y
Sheffield T Y
Preston G NW
Billingham NE
Otley Y
Huddersfield Y
Heath Y
Harrogate Y
Lymm NW
Chester NW
Sedgley Park NW
7 Yorkshire
3 North East
6 North West
We must wait for a few weeks before a final decision is announced and the fixture lists published.