Ten matches across levels three and four beat the cold snap – and there was still plenty to warm the hearts of National League Rugby supporters. (Photo Credit: Gareth Lyons)

National One

Just two fixtures went ahead in National One but we were provided with a gripping London derby as Rosslyn Park (4th) edged out Blackheath (5th) 26-25 at The Rock.

Park’s Harry Ledger and Rhys Charalambous crossed in the opening period and tries from the latter – as well as Ewan Fenley – put them 26-13 ahead shortly after half-time.

Blackheath had initially kept in touch via Noah Sloot and the boot of Tom Ffitch, and they responded yet again as Thomas Everard and Sloot both went over to cut the deficit to a single point with 17 minutes remaining.

The visitors pressed for a winner but the absence of their cutting edge – combined with some strong defensive work from Park – saw the hosts claim their sixth consecutive home victory.

And home comforts continued for Dings Crusaders (8th) as they extended their unbeaten run at Shaftesbury Park to five matches after seeing off Sedgley Park (11th) 35-3.

The club’s relationship with Gallagher Premiership outfit Bristol Bears paid dividends in this one as young fly-half Sam Worsley scored a try and kicked all five conversions while centre Joe Jenkins bagged himself a brace of tries

However, it may well have been the defensive effort of Dings that pleased Stean Williams and Luke Arscott the most as their side repelled any Sedge response in the second period.

National Two East

Oxford Harlequins (12th) arguably recorded the result of the weekend as Pete Davies’ side ended a five-match winless run by defeating Bury St Edmunds (6th) 38-31 at the Horspath Sports Ground.

Tries from Ben Bodinham, Harry Burn, Finlay Boarder and James Boardman helped Oxford Quins into a 24-14 lead at the break, with Will Metcalfe and Alex Earnshaw going over for Bury.

John Ireland’s score stretched the advantage for the home side but two tries in five minutes from Bury’s Samir Kharbouch and Patrick Robinson reduced the arrears to 31-26.

But despite Callum Cashman receiving a yellow card on 72 minutes, Oxford Quins were able to land the decisive below. Jonathan Hughes touched down four minutes from time to ultimately seal a first victory since the start of November for the hosts while a late Earnshaw try clinched two bonus points for the visitors.

That win for Oxford Quins has moved them eight points clear of the bottom two after 13th-placed Colchester were beaten 57-28 at home by Barnes (2nd). Colchester – who do have a game in hand over Oxford Quins – did collect a try bonus-point but they could do nothing to halt a rampant Barnes side who scored nine tries in total, with four coming from hooker Matthew Humphreys.

Barnes’ power up front was once again a lethal weapon for Jack Heald’s men who have now risen to second in the standings.

Elsewhere, Guernsey (5th) marked their return to Footes Lane with a welcome victory as a hat-trick from winger Anthony Armstrong helped them to a 40-14 success over Havant (9th). The Raiders have now won all seven of their home games this term.

National Two West

Five of National Two West’s seven fixtures did beat the big freeze and there were certainly some eye-catching results, not least towards the top of the standings.

League leaders Camborne scored two tries in the final 10 minutes to clinch a 38-38 draw against fourth-placed Taunton Titans in front of a crowd of over 1,100 at Veritas Park.

Taunton, who have now drawn their last two home games, did hold a 14-point lead with nine minutes to go but tries from Alex Ducker and William Tanswell ensured the table toppers departed Somerset with three points.

A nip and tuck first period ended with Taunton leading 21-14 following scores from Vaea Taione, Reece Malone and Sam Prior as Camborne leaked penalties.

 

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Nick Mason’s converted effort extended the Titans’ advantage but Harry Larkins’ score – which added to first-half tries from Jordan Rose and Josh Matavesi – kept the Cherry and Whites in touch.

Kyle Moyle and Louis Sinclair then exchanged penalties, and Taunton looked on course for their 10th victory of the campaign when Shai Bonnick touched down only for Camborne to rescue a share of the spoils.

The result leaves Camborne four points clear at the summit after National League Rugby’s in-form team Clifton (2nd) made it nine wins on the bounce as they edged past Luctonians (5th) 16-12 at Station Road. Matt Salter and Luke Cozens’ troops were 12-0 down but tries from Jay Evans and Matt Smith helped turn the tide for the Lavender and Blacks.

Meanwhile, Tom Fogerty broke the hearts of bottom-of-the-table Devonport Services as his last-gasp try secured a 26-20 win for Old Redcliffians (7th), Loughborough Students (8th) hooker Haydn Rees scored a hat-trick as the Midlands outfit surged to a 55-14 win over Hornets (9th) and Redruth (6th) inflicted a seventh straight defeat on Bournville (12th) following a clinical 33-10 win at the Recreation Ground.

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