The battle at the top and bottom of National Two (North) is very competitive. At the summit, Leeds Tykes are favourites to be champions and gain promotion to National One. They’ve fought a close battle all season with Sheffield RUFC and Lymm. The Cheshire club has fallen away in recent weeks so it’s become a Yorkshire derby for ‘the glittering prize’.
Fylde beat Leeds at the Woodlands a year ago and this was crucial in Rotherham hurdling the Tykes to their huge disappointment. Once again this season, it could be that the Lancastrians have a say in the destiny of the title as they have to play both contenders in the closing month of this season. First up, Fylde travel to the Tykes’ Sycamores Ground on Saturday (ko 14.30), with Sheffield visiting the Woodlands on the last day of the season (26th April).
Leeds visited the Woodlands at the end of November and won a hard fought, close battle by 17-22. They’ve triumphed in a number of similar challenges this season and have come through gutsily.
The try scoring star of the Tykes squad is hooker Adam Brown who has notched a remarkable 21 to date, including three last time out at Chester. Whilst the Tykes pack is particularly strong led by the vastly experienced lock Jake Brady (ex Harrogate, Darlington Mowden Park & Yorkshire County) and will pose a huge challenge to the Lancastrians, the backline orchestrated by the influential fly-half Seremaia Turagabeci, who is also one their principal goal kickers, is pacy and dangerous. This is exemplified by the talents of players such as winger Eliah Chitiyo (10 tries) and fullback Charlie Venables (7).
Fylde will be checking on a few injuries picked up in the bruising victory v Hull RUFC last Saturday before selecting their match day squad this (Thursday) evening. There’s no doubt that whatever the make-up of their squad is that they will be going all out to overturn the form book and improve their disappointing record away from the Woodlands this season.
