After a gripping Round 16, the gauntlet was thrown down to see if Round 17 could follow suit and the final weekend of January certainly delivered. (Photo Credit: Gareth Lyons)

Sale FC (11th) ended a six-match winless run in style as they knocked Richmond (2nd) off the top of National One following a 32-18 victory at Heywood Road. After a brilliant second-half display, a hat-trick from Sale Sharks loanee Alfie Longstaff powered Jonathan Keep’s troops to this welcome victory.

The result in the North-West means Rams (1st) are now the new leaders of the third tier. Seb Reynolds’ side hold a four-point lead at the summit after collecting a 36-19 away success at 13th-placed Leicester Lions.

And speaking of the Lions, they have been leapfrogged in the standings by Esher (12th) who picked up a stunning 54-42 win over Rosslyn Park (4th).


In National Two North, both Hull (9th) and Sheffield Tigers (11th) picked up key victories in Round 17.

Starting with Hull, they did the double over fifth-placed Wharfedale as their 32-19 victory moved them eight points clear of the danger zone. As for the Tigers, they secured a third home win on the spin as they edged past Chester (8th) 19-14 at Dore Moor to leave Jack Howieson’s side six points above the bottom two.

Last-gasp penalties were on the menu in National Two East as both Henley Hawks (7th) and Sevenoaks (11th) clinched late wins. After Dorking’s (3rd) Tom Howe had scooted over for a converted score on 74 minutes, Hawks fly-half Max Titchener kept his cool to seal an excellent 23-22 triumph for Luke Allen’s side.

As for Sevenoaks, Stephen Hihetah’s converted try two minutes from time looked to have won it for Old Albanian (9th) but full-back Ben Adams capped a brilliant afternoon from the tee by slotting an all-important penalty to secure a 31-29 victory at The Paddock.

There was late drama in National Two West, as Luke Daniels’ effort clinched a remarkable 42-37 win for title candidates Clifton (2nd) against Hinckley (10th). This was the Lavender and Blacks’ 11th successive victory, and they remain four points behind leaders Camborne, whom they face this Saturday.

Elsewhere, Cinderford (4th) winger Sam Smith helped himself to four tries as the Forest of Dean outfit recorded a 46-19 victory away at bottom-of-the-table Devonport Services.

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