After a weekend of shocks, including an unplayable pitch at Macclesfield, Hinckley on the hunt for five points to go to the top of National 2 North, slipped up against Sheffield who are struggling to stay in the league. So this weekend takes on even more significance.
This weekend Sale FC take on Otley down at Heywood Road. But, that’s not the only excitement going on. A win for Sale in any form would solidify their position at the top with two games in hand
Is this weekend the defining moment for some of the top five?
National League 2 North 2017/18 – Points Table
| Club | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | PD | TBP | LBP | Ded | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Sale FC | 20 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 667 | 250 | 417 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 85 | |
 |
Stourbridge | 21 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 677 | 439 | 238 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 83 | |
 |
Hinckley | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 678 | 375 | 303 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 82 | |
 |
Sedgley Park | 20 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 643 | 480 | 163 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 79 | |
 |
Tynedale | 20 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 696 | 442 | 254 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 76 |
The top five are only separated by 9 points but this weekend 2nd (Stourbridge) play 4th (Sedgley) away from home (at one of the toughest venues to win at). 3rd (Hinckley) play 5th (Tynedale) with the 3rd placed team having home advantage. From a Sale point of view obviously 2 draws with no try bonus points would be the perfect scenario. However Sale also have the tricky Yorkshiremen turning up to Heywood Road on Saturday and the pitch will definitely favour the Otley pack as it’s pretty much now a rice paddy.
This weekend is one of the reasons I love National League Rugby. Anything could happen and we might have a new leader my 5pm on Saturday. We might see the challenge of Hinckley for promotion start to look more and more unlikely if Tynedale can overcome the local supporters and atmosphere down In Leicestershire. However a big win and they’re right back in the hunt. Stourbridge away to Sedgley is also a massive game with Sedge being a hard to beat team at the best of times, but on home soil, they’re pretty much rock solid.