Champions were named in National One and National Two North, while relegations occurred in National Two East and West. (Photo Credit: Mike Inkley)

National One

Richmond (1st) have secured promotion to next year’s expanded Championship following their seven-try 47-24 victory over Rams (6th) on Friday night.

The bonus-point victory for Rob Powell’s side meant they had one hand on the National One trophy, and it also put the pressure on nearest challengers Rotherham Titans who needed to match Richmond’s result when they visited Blackheath (4th) on Saturday.

But despite a wonderful season, the Titans couldn’t follow suit, losing 31-24 at The Utilita, meaning the title headed to The RAG.

After two years in the third tier, Richmond will return to ‘Level 2’ after a highly impressive 2024/25 campaign. Powell’s troops have lost just twice all term and after hitting a bump in the road against Sale FC at the end of January, the leaders haven’t looked back having stitched together an eight-match unbeaten run.

Harlequins emerging talent Lucas Schmid scored a hat-trick in their latest success over Rams, but the newly-crowned champions did fall behind early on following Max Hayman’s score and a Fraser Honey penalty.

However, two scores from Will Goffey, a try from James Litchfield and Schmid’s first set Richmond on their way. The latter wrapped up his hat-trick just after the hour before Xavier Hastings sealed the win either side of Rams tries from Axel Kalling-Smith and Oliver Hodgson.

With Rotherham suffering a defeat at Blackheath, Rosslyn Park (2nd) moved into the silver medal position after a seventh straight victory. They defeated Sedgley Park (11th) 45-24 at The Rock as Kieran Power’s side continued their excellent campaign.

Despite departing the capital empty-handed, Sedge’s safety – if it was ever in doubt – was still confirmed after relegation-threatened Leicester Lions (13th) came out on the wrong side of a thrilling 41-39 contest against Dings Crusaders (10th) in Bristol.

Max Rivers’ try four minutes from time broke Lions hearts, who thought they had won this pulsating battle when Jamel Hamilton crashed over on 66 minutes but in the end, the Midlands outfit had to settle for two bonus points.

The result does edge Leicester to within a point of 12th-placed Esher, who currently occupy the final safety spot. The EEEs – who have had their fair share of injury problems this season – slipped to a seventh successive loss as they were beaten by Birmingham Moseley (7th) 59-19 on their own patch.

Next up for Esher, they travel to fifth-placed Plymouth Albion – who beat already relegated Darlington Mowden Park (14th) 39-26 in Round 24 – before ending the season at home to Sedgley Park while Leicester Lions’ final two games of the campaign against Blackheath and Bishop’s Stortford (9th) are both at Westleigh Park.

Elsewhere in National One in Round 24, the aforementioned Bishop’s Stortford claimed a fourth win in a row as they defeated Sale FC (7th) 34-26 in the North-West.

National Two North

Seremaia Turagabeci knocked over a late penalty to ultimately seal the National Two North title for Leeds Tykes as they battled to a hard-fought 27-24 win at Sheffield Tigers (9th).

The only way Leeds could have been crowned champions in Round 24 is if second-placed Sheffield failed to win at Lymm (3rd), and Anthony Posa’s side fell just short in Cheshire, losing 38-29.

With that game finishing half an hour earlier than Leeds’ meeting with Sheffield Tigers, the door had opened for the Tykes to clinch promotion and at that point, they were locked at 24-24.

Leeds had flown out of the blocks at Dore Moor thanks to Tom Williams and Eliah Chitiyo, and looked in complete control when Tigers No.8 Tom Calladine was sent off after just 13 minutes.

However, that setback seemed to galvanise the hosts. Will Archer and Louis Townsend both dotted down while Will Baker added seven points from the tee to leave them 17-12 to the good.

A try from Turagabeci tied things up, but the home side nudged themselves ahead at the start of the second half when Lee Monks touched down. Again, Leeds made it all square five minutes later via Jack Smith, but even with the bonus-point draw, the Tykes were now on course for the title.

But having won 22 of their previous 23 matches, Leeds were always going to clinch promotion back to National One with a victory, and Turagabeci’s 75th-minute penalty sealed the deal.

After experiencing the agony of missing out on the title to Rotherham Titans 12 months ago, Pete Seabourne’s men have produced another stunning campaign to get the job done this time around. Over the last two seasons, the Tykes have won a staggering 47 games out of 50 but this year, there is a piece of silverware to show for their remarkable efforts.

So with promotion all sewn up, the attention turns to an engrossing relegation scrap that took another twist in Round 24 as bottom-of-the-table Hull picked up a crucial 31-26 victory away at table rivals Harrogate (12th).

Following four straight defeats in March and zero league points obtained by Mike Umaga’s side, a positive outcome was a necessity in North Yorkshire and after a predictably tight affair, Tomas Bairstow’s score on 66 minutes proved to be the decisive moment.

The result keeps Hull at the bottom, but they are now just one point behind 13th-placed Billingham who lost 22-12 away at Fylde (4th). Due to the formation of the 14-team expanded Championship for next season, it has created a ‘relegation reprieve’ in National Two meaning five teams instead of six will be relegated.

With Devonport Services and Bournville (National Two West) + Worthing and Colchester (National Two East) having their relegations confirmed on Saturday, it means the reprieve comes in National Two North whereby only the bottom team will go down and the 13th-placed side will survive.

Despite their defeat to Hull, the two bonus points collected by Harrogate did lift them to 12th and two points clear of Hull while 11th-placed Preston Grasshoppers are three points above the danger zone after coming out on the wrong side of a pulsating 53-52 contest at Hull Ionains (8th). 

All of this means the bottom four sides are separated by just three points going into the final two games of the season.

Otley (10th) are seven points clear of trouble but might be having a quick glance over their shoulder after slipping to a third successive loss. They were beaten 54-22 by Tynedale (5th) who marked club captain Chris Wearmouth’s 400th National League Rugby appearance with their biggest win of the term.

Meanwhile, Chester (7th) recorded a seven-try 45-28 success over Wharfedale (6th) at Hare Lane.

National Two East

Worthing’s 17-year stay in National League Rugby has come to an end after the Raiders’ relegation was confirmed following a 39-28 defeat at Sevenoaks (10th).

Having been a National League Rugby club since 2008, Fred Pierrepont’s men will be plying their trade at Level 5 next season despite their best efforts in Kent.

Winger Charles Spencer got them off to the best possible start but Sevenoaks hit back with tries from centres Samuel Begbie and Zach Shirtcliff as well as lock Kenny Lee.

Worthing responded before half-time via Kemp Price, but Oaks moved 12 points in front after Oli Green touched down. The Raiders continued to show great resolve and stayed in the fight following tries from Price and Spencer, and even when Angus Southon and Ed Hartley exchanged scores late on, Worthing were only four points adrift.

However, Sevenoaks had the final say as James Horner crossed at the death to condemn Worthing to the Regional Leagues.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Worthing RFC © (@worthingrfc)

And Worthing will be joined by Colchester, who were beaten 29-21 at home against Guernsey Raiders (7th). Mike Haywood’s men – who have been plagued by injuries – knew they had to win in order to keep their survival hopes alive but this loss – combined with recent setbacks against Worthing and Sevenoaks – sealed their fate.

In terms of the title race, Tonbridge Juddians (1st) are now within touching distance of promotion to National One after they came from behind to beat Henley Hawks (8th) 50-26 away from home. Winger Curtis Barnes scored a hat-trick as the league leaders recovered from 20-7 down, and it means TJs require just three points from their final two matches to be crowned champions.

Dorking (2nd) ensured the promotion battle would continue into the penultimate weekend of the season as they also fought back to eventually see off Havant (12th) 43-17 at The Big Field.

In Round 25, Armand Roux’s men are on the road at fourth-placed Canterbury – who scored 10 tries in a 66-29 away success at Oxford Harlequins (11th) on Saturday – while TJs host the aforementioned Oxford Quins.

Elsewhere, Barnes (3rd) returned to winning ways with a 41-31 victory at Bury St Edmunds (9th) while Ben Alexander’s late, hat-trick try for Old Albanian (5th) saw them record an eighth victory in a row following a thrilling 50-48 win at sixth-placed Westcombe Park.

National Two West

Clifton (1st) are now in the driving seat for the National Two West title after they beat promotion rivals Camborne (2nd) 41-26 to move three points clear at the summit.

Matt Salter and Luke Cozens’ side began the afternoon one point behind Camborne but in front of a raucous Station Road, the Bristol outfit were able to secure what could be one of the most significant victories in Clifton’s 153-year history.

Winger Zak Hamid scored a hat-trick in an excellent performance from the Lavender and Blacks, who were able to keep Camborne at bay for large portions of this contest.

After Hamid and swapped tries with Ben Priddey, a Mitch Spencer score and a Thomas Quinlan penalty put the hosts 15-7 up. A second for Hamid was matched by Camborne’s Alex Ducker while Luke Daniels and Priddey also traded scores after the interval.

Matt Smith’s converted try on 52 minutes moved the hosts 34-19 in front and even though Ducker crossed again for the visitors, Hamid’s hat-trick try 12 minutes from time saw Clifton home.

The new league leaders now know that two victories from their final two matches against 13th-placed Bournville and Exeter University (11th) will seal the title. Camborne’s final two games do have some symmetry to them as they also face two sides in the bottom four; already relegated Devonport Services at home before a trip to 12th-placed Macclesfield.

As mentioned above, Devonport Services (14th) had their relegation confirmed after a 41-34 home defeat to sixth-placed Hornets while Bournville will also be following Ben Russell’s side into the Regional Leagues as their 61-24 loss at Cinderford (4th) sealed their fate.

Those results meant Macclesfield’s (12th) safety was confirmed despite their 45-42 defeat to an in-form Loughborough Students (5th) at Priory Park. Given the challenges presented to the Cheshire club in National Two West this season, to survive relegation after promotion last term is a brilliant achievement.

Exeter University (11th) will also be sticking around in the fourth tier for next season even though they were beaten 61-26 at Luctonians (7th).

Elsewhere, Redruth (8th) returned to winning ways as late tries from Sam James and Luke Barnes helped them to a 29-27 win over Taunton (3rd) while fly-half Rory Vowles was instrumental for Hinckley (9th) as his 22 points saw them clinch a fifth win on the spin as they defeated Old Redcliffians (10th) 57-26.

It was also a historic day at Leicester Road as for the first time ever, an all-female officiating team took charge of a National League Rugby game with Rebecca Piddlesden, Tracy Pettingale and Kasey Allen at the helm.

Make sure you follow National League Rugby on social media + hit like and subscribe on our YouTube channel!

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok | Threads