Plus, Dorking keep the wind in their sails (but only just) while weather-affected weekend sees five games called off. (Photo Credit: Colin Fisher)

Blood and thunder contest goes the way of Richmond

Friday night’s top-of-the-table National One clash between leaders Richmond and second-placed Rams may not have an extensive highlights reel attached to it, but both clubs delivered an absorbing contest under the lights at Old Bath Road.

In front of a record crowd of 1,829 in Berkshire, it was Richmond who were able to maintain their unbeaten record as they opened up a three-point gap at the summit following a tight 7-5 victory over their title rivals.

Richmond’s only try of the game came after just four minutes with No.8 Sam Pim crashing over the line and Callum Grieve converting. Rob Powell’s troops controlled the first half but they only had seven points to show for their efforts due to some superb Rams defence.

It was roles reversed after the interval as Rams began to click into gear, but the hosts were left to rue too many errors when they found themselves in promising positions.

On 72 minutes though, Michael Duda gave Seb Reynolds’ side hope as he scored with his first touch of the game but despite the renewed optimism around Old Bath Road, Richmond were able to see out the victory.

It was the perfect start to an ‘important’ month for Richmond who face third-placed Rotherham Titans this coming Saturday before hosting local rivals Rosslyn Park (4th) in their final fixture before Christmas.

As for Rams, they will be eager to respond to back-to-back defeats when they visit Rosslyn Park in Round 13 on a weekend where the top four face one another.

At the other end of the third tier, there were big results for Sedgley Park (11th) and Leicester Lions (12th) who both experienced home success. The Tigers dispatched Rosslyn Park 28-0 at Park Lane to earn a welcome third win of the term while the Lions recorded back-to-back victories for the first time this season as they defeated Dings Crusaders (10th) 22-15 at Westleigh Park.

Too close to call in National Two North title race

Round 12 saw the biggest twist in the National Two North title race to date after Lymm’s (3rd) perfect record came to a halt at Sheffield.

Adam Fletcher and Andy Davies’ men entered December as the only side across National League Rugby with a 100 per cent record but promotion rivals Sheffield put an end to that at Abbeydale Park.

Tries from Jack Dawson, Archie Crapper, Cameron Catleugh and Rhodri Campbell helped the hosts claim a 24-5 bonus-point victory meaning Anthony Posa’s side snuck themselves to the top of the standings.

Leeds Tykes remain in second after squeezing past Sheffield Tigers 12-11 in atrocious weather conditions and that result – combined with Sheffield’s success – means the top three sides are all level on 55 points going into Round 13.

In the New Year, Leeds play both Sheffield and Lymm at home while the latter welcome Sheffield to Crouchley Lane at the start of April.

Away day joy lifts Sevenoaks spirits

After grinding out an excellent 14-12 success on the road against Westcombe Park (8th) in Round 11, Sevenoaks (11th) backed up that triumph with another crucial result against table rivals Worthing.

A sole Ben Adams penalty looked to have given Oaks a 3-0 half-time lead in West Sussex but a slick Ethan Jones try lit the fuse for Adam Bowman’s side. Four tries in 23 second-half minutes – including a brace for Edward Shepherdson – secured a 36-7 victory and back-to-back away successes for Sevenoaks.

After losing to bottom of the table Colchester in Round 10, the Kent outfit have produced the ideal response and now sit six points clear of the bottom two.

Dorking keep pressure on National Two East leaders TJs…but only just

Dorking (2nd) are on the longest current winning streak in National League Rugby but the second-placed side in National Two East had to show immense character to extend that record in Round 12 following a dramatic 28-25 triumph away at Havant (9th).

With seven minutes to go at Hooks Lane, Armand Roux’s men found themselves 25-14 down and heading towards their first defeat since the opening day of the season.

But this Dorking side potentially displayed their title credentials in Hampshire as tries from Tyler Norwood and Will Scholes snatched a 10th successive victory for the Red and Whites.

With table-toppers Tonbridge Juddians returning to winning ways at the first attempt – after defeating an in-form Henley Hawks (6th) 17-0 – the gap at the top remains four points but Dorking have a game in hand.

First Storm Bert and now Storm Darragh

Getting through the first half of the season without any postponements or rearranged fixtures is wishful thinking when it comes to National League Rugby and after a weather-affected Round 11, five matches were called off at the weekend due to the arrival of Storm Darragh.

The top-of-the-table National Two West meeting between Camborne (1st) and Clifton (3rd) fell foul to the weather while the National Two North clash between Billingham (14th) and Fylde (4th) was postponed at half-time.

In the fixtures that did go ahead, players had to contend with the elements as conversion attempts were blown off course by the severe winds whilst teams up and down the country had to adapt their game plans as the storm ripped through different parts of the UK.

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