Another swing at the summit of National One, a setback for one of the National Two North title candidates and some big results in the bottom half of National Two East and West grabbed the headlines in Round 18. Photo Credit: (Simon Godfrey)

National One

Richmond (1st) reclaimed top spot in National One after securing a 31-14 win against Dings Crusaders at The Atheltic Ground. Their victory came courtesy of a crucial bonus-point score from George Nugent just moments before the final whistle to leave Rob Powell’s side three points clear.

Their move back to the summit was aided by a superb performance from Bishop’s Stortford (8th) who delivered a setback to title candidates Rams (2nd) with a 34-25 victory away at Old Bath Road.

Stortford’s impressive display included overcoming three first-half yellow cards to secure a 17-15 lead at half-time, thanks to a penalty from Tom Mills. In the second period, tries from Mills, Chris Smith, and Alex Rayment saw them leave Berkshire with a full five points and Stortford have now beaten two of the top three sides away from home this term.

Elsewhere, a patched-up Rotherham Titans (3rd) battled to a 24-7 victory over Leicester Lions (13th) at Clifton Lane. Harvey Biljon’s squad had been struck down by illness and injury but extended their run to nine wins from their last 10 games, albeit without securing a bonus point. The Yorkshire outfit sit six points behind Richmond but have a game in hand to come away at 12th-placed Esher on February 22nd.

Speaking of Esher, they made it three wins in a row as they defeated bottom club Darlington Mowden Park 29-22 in the North-East. The latest success for Peter Winterbottom’s side now leaves them 13 points clear of the bottom two.

Elsewhere, fifth-placed Plymouth Albion made it seven wins on the trot as they departed Blackheath (6th) with an excellent 22-19 triumph whilst there were also victories for Rosslyn Park (4th) and Birmingham Moseley (7th), with the latter securing a 28-20 success at Sedgley Park (11th) thanks to a remarkable try from winger Dan Brough.

National Two North

Like in National One, there was a twist at the top as third-placed Lymm suffered only their second defeat of the season as they were beaten 47-33 at home by Tynedale (5th).

The North-East visitors led 28-19 at half-time but a blistering start to the second 40 – where they scored three tries in 10 minutes – took the game away from Lymm, who are now nine points off the top with a game in hand to come against fourth-placed Fylde.

Whilst a fellow title candidate stumbled, Leeds Tykes (1st) showed resilience and character as a last-minute try from Tom Williams secured a 28-24 win away at sixth-placed Wharfedale. Pete Seabourne and Pete Lucock’s men were 24-14 down heading into the final 10 minutes but dug deep to record what could be a massive victory in the context of their campaign.

Second-placed Sheffield kept the pressure on as they secured an impressive seven-try 43-23 win over Hull. The result leaves Anthony Posa’s side one point behind Leeds with the top two set to face off in Round 19.

At the other end of the table, there was an excellent win for 10th-placed Sheffield Tigers who went away to Fylde and clinched a 32-28 victory. It leaves them eight points clear of the danger zone while 12th-placed Otley were not far away from picking up a crucial result at Preston Grasshoppers (9th).

They missed two tricky penalties late on in Lancashire as Preston held out for a 27-24 win leaving Otley a point clear of the bottom two.

Also across National Two North, Chester (7th) reinforced their excellent home form as they defeated bottom-of-the-table Harrogate 29-26 at Hare Lane while Hull Ionians (8th) recovered from 21-0 down after just 19 minutes to claim a welcome 40-26 win over Billingham (13th) at Brantingham Park.

National Two East

Leaders Tonbridge Juddians secured an excellent 39-16 victory over Havant (10th) at The Slade, with Howard Packman, who recently played for Germany in the Rugby Europe Championship, contributing to the seven-try win.

Second-placed Barnes also triumphed, defeating Guernsey Raiders 24-14 to secure their fourth consecutive win. Jack Heald’s men remain six points behind TJs having played a game more than the table-toppers.

In contrast, third-placed Dorking had their title hopes dented as they were defeated 48-24 by 12th-placed Oxford Harlequins. Dorking started strong, leading 19-0 after 21 minutes, but Oxford Quins responded with five tries in 15 minutes to lead 33-19 at half-time.

 

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They stayed in the ascendancy in the second half, securing a memorable win at the Horspath Sports Ground. This loss marks Dorking’s third defeat in six matches, leaving them 11 points behind Tonbridge Juddians.

Oxford Harlequins’ victory moves them 12 points clear of the relegation zone. Similarly, Sevenoaks (11th) boosted their survival hopes with a brilliant 38-36 comeback win against Bury St Edmunds (8th), with Ben Adams’ try a minute from time sealing the victory after being 31-12 down at half-time.

Second-from-bottom Worthing had to settle for two bonus points in defeat as Sam Jones’ late penalty clinched a 36-34 win for Old Albanian (9th) while Westcombe Park (5th) made it seven victories on the spin as they ended the winning run of Kent rivals Canterbury (4th) by recording a 22-18 success. Elsewhere, Henley Hawks (6th) defeated bottom-of-the-table Colchester 34-19.

National Two West

There were some big results in the bottom half of National Two West, with Exeter University (11th) clinching a last-gasp 30-29 win over old foes Loughborough Students (8th).

James Boylan’s try and Benji Mills’ conversion snatched it at the death for Gareth Elliott’s troops who are now 10 points clear of the bottom two while Bournville (12th) are still hovering above the danger zone after a 41-30 home defeat against Hornets (9th). Three tries in the final 12 minutes from Charlie Carter, Corey Baker and Tom Read condemned the Chocos to a ninth defeat from their last 10 matches and they remain four points clear of the bottom two.

At the other end, Camborne (1st) came through a real battle away at 10th-placed Hinckley but the league leaders prevailed to eventually secure a 44-39 triumph in the Midlands. Hooker Ben Priddey took his tally of tries 34 in 17 games thanks to a hat-trick while fellow title counterparts Clifton defeated bottom-of-the-table Devonport Services 42-26 despite having Jake Holcombe sent off at the start of the second period.

Elsewhere, a scintillating first-half showing from Cinderford (3rd) helped them defeat Macclesfield (13th) 48-28 while Redruth moved up to fifth spot after they beat Luctonians (6th) 23-14 to extend their winning run to four matches.

And it was an emotional day at Old Redcliffians (7th) who remembered one of their own, Ellis Joseph, who died aged 27 after being diagnosed with leukaemia. Old Reds held a minute’s silence in memory of Ellis ahead of their 19-12 defeat to fourth-placed Taunton Titans.

Our thoughts are with Ellis’s family, friends and everyone at Old Redcliffians during this difficult time.

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