Preparations for the rugby union 2024/25 term continued at the weekend with many clubs enjoying their pre-season outings. (Photo Credit: Chris Farrow)

National One

A solid performance from Rotherham Titans saw them kick off their pre-season schedule with a 40-7 victory over Leeds Tykes at Clifton Lane.

After pipping the Tykes to the National Two North title in 2023/24, Harvey Biljon’s troops got the better of their Yorkshire counterparts again as they surged clear in the second period thanks to tries from JB Bruzulier, Ronnie du Randt and Travis Gideon.

“I’d like us to keep our feet firmly on the ground,” said Rotherham boss Biljon, as his side continue to gear up for their return to National One. “We stuck to task. There is lots of learnings to come and I am really greedy because I want us to get better. Let’s look forward to us maturing as a team.”

There was also a comfortable win for Blackheath who eventually dispatched National Two East’s Barnes 40-19.

Billy Harding opened the scoring for ‘Club’ but Barnes hit back with tries via Paul Webb, Dylan Munro and Joe Henry.

However, the hosts were able to respond as Tom Baldwin and Mike Hoyt both dotted down before Blackheath took control of the second half as Augustin Slowik, Jake Hennessey and Paul Schroter sealed the victory.

“I thought second half not to concede a point showed good character”, said lock/back-row Tom Stradwick. “Discipline was much better and we played the majority of the game down in their half. Four tries to zero was a good step up.”

Sedgley Park recorded a 36-26 win over Darlington Mowden Park, with Bob Birtwell and Alex Benbattouche going over in the first half. Ollie Glasse added a third before DMP got on the board through Akula Dressa.

Nathan Pope and Matty Siddle traded scores but Rhys Henderson ensured Sedge remained in command with a try out wide. The Tigers winger also managed to grab a second in between a Liam Checksfield score and a penalty try for DMP.

“Pretty pleased”, was the assessment of the performance by Sedgley Tigers Head Coach Scott Barrow. “We’ve put some good rugby together which we’re really happy about. First 30 minutes, we dominated in their 22 and some of the tries were outstanding.”

Last year’s National One runners-up, Rams RFC, were given a serious test in their first fixture of the summer as they edged out Welsh Super League side Aberavon 35-28.

On his debut, centre Joe Pannese – along with Ollie Cole – crossed in the first 40 as Rams went into the break level at 14-14 before Ollie Monye, Ed Hoadley and Harry Stone went over in an entertaining second period.

Speaking to the club website, Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds said: “It was a really good game of rugby and one which felt like a National One fixture. We always knew it was going to be tough and as a first hit out for pre-season, we couldn’t have asked for anything more in terms of getting the guys meaningful, challenging rugby.”

An all-third-tier affair saw Rosslyn Park see off Leicester Lions 48-12 with Josh Addams claiming a hat-trick, while another trio of tries were scored by Dings Crusaders flyer Solomon Taufa as he helped the National One newcomers to a 34-19 triumph over Bargoed 2nd XV. Ollie Smith, Gethin O’Callaghan and Ezra Craven also got in on the act.

Richmond flexed their muscles with a 52-7 victory over Dorking. Sam Pim, Callum Grieve, Chidera Obonna, Alex Schwarz, Henry Wills and Sam Smith all got on the scoresheet for Rob Powell’s side.

Elsewhere, Birmingham Moseley made it two pre-season wins from two after defeating Pontypool 36-19, Esher came out on top in four 20-minute sessions against Canterbury as the Surrey side claimed a 45-26 victory and Sale FC beat National Two West new boys Macclesfield 75-5 at Heywood Road.

Meanwhile, tries from Chris Smith and Alex Rayment helped Bishop’s Stortford to a 63-21 victory over National Two East outfit Tonbridge Juddians and Plymouth Albion beat Camborne 52-12.

National Two North

Billingham began their pre-season fixtures with a 24-5 victory over North-East neighbours Blaydon. After three 30-minute periods, it was Peter Evans’ side who eventually came out on top following scores from Joseph Scarborough, Ben Walton, Joe Ross and Jamie Lane.

Otley continued their winning feeling in pre-season with a 59-19 triumph away at Scarborough. Harvey Sellers, Harry Butler, Nick Fontaine, Tom Parnell, Jacob Holmes, Will Martindale, Elliot Spiers and Eddie Crossland all touched down.

Scores from Ally Murray, Luke Proctor, Jake Maher, Cam Brown and Harvey May helped Preston Grasshoppers to a 35-10 victory over Blackburn while Lymm notched up seven unanswered tries in wins against Chew Valley (28-0) and National Two West’s Hornets (19-0) respectively.

 

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Fylde ran in 10 tries to beat Rossendale 66-26, with Alex Gaughan grabbing a brace while centre Freddie Reader scored a fabulous 80m try. Elsewhere, Tynedale were beaten 38-33 by Scottish outfit Heriots and Hull Ionians won 40-20 away at Driffield.

National Two East

We begin with the trio of newly promoted clubs and we start with Colchester who continue to build towards their debut season at this level despite a 42-24 loss to Oundle. Squad rotation was the order of the day for Craig Burrows’ side with their tries coming via Francois Rossouw, Callum Jeffrey, Fazal Oblooye and Danny Whiteman.

“We used 45 players ranging from regular 1st and 2nd team players plus a lot of new players and it was a good experience for all of them,” Burrows told the club website. “We concentrated on the first and fourth session in particular which we won and I am very grateful to Oundle for providing strong and skilled opposition throughout the afternoon.”

Next is Oxford Harlequins who lost 59-26 at home to London Welsh but there were better fortunes for Havant who beat National Two West’s Hinckley 53-43.


After last week’s double, Dylan Read was at it again for Rob Matthews’ men as his brace, plus efforts from Jacob Knight and Harry Carr, made it 24-0.

Hinckley hit back before the break with scores from Jack Hewitt, Mitch Lamb and Rory Vowles and both sides exchanged blows after the interval through Sean Shepherd and Ali Reed. The Midlands outfit then moved ahead thanks to quick-fire scores from Vowles and Hewitt but the pendulum swung Havant’s way again as Ash Chimera (2) and Jacob Ashworth touched down.

Chris Campbell’s side set up a tense finale when Riley Gilbert scored a minute from time but Chimera completed his hat-trick to send Havant home happy.

Elsewhere, Worthing lost 27-19 against Tunbridge Wells – despite leading 19-9 after scores from Kieran Tomlinson, Sam Myles and Harry Forrest – while Sevenoaks beat Bracknell 31-14 and Westcombe Park defeated Southend Saxons 34-5.

National Two West

Bournville were involved in a double-header, with the Chocos claiming a 26-19 victory on Friday evening against Bromsgrove before falling to a 55-15 loss to Bridgend Ravens on Saturday.

In their clash with Bromsgrove, Matt Price’s men had to come from behind as Connor Thorneycroft and Clarkson McLeod clinched the win late on after Matt Spence and Mikey Ho had claimed earlier scores.

Meanwhile, Devonport Services lost 40-17 to Barnstaple with tries coming from James McFarlane, Tom Davies and Jack Evans, Redruth beat Launceston 26-19, Luctonians won 33-14 at Mortimer Park against Cross Keys and Old Redcliffians picked up an eye-catching 61-33 win over National Two East’s Henley Hawks.

Elsewhere, it was a defeat for Cinderford who lost 31-26 away at Pontypridd despite tries from Will Baldwin and Sam Allford.

For a full list of upcoming pre-season fixtures, click HERE.

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