Heading into the final two months of the campaign, the mini spurt of fixtures in February has left things exceptionally poised…but did we expect anything different? (Photo Credit: Ian Clark)

National One

The picture at the top of National One once again shifted in Round 19 as title candidates Rams (3rd) fell to a 19-0 defeat at Birmingham Moseley (7th).

In challenging weather conditions, Moseley were 7-0 ahead at the break thanks to Ryan Roach’s close-range try.

Rams did have their fair share of possession and territory but found themselves further behind after the interval as Will Safe dotted down before Aquile Smith, on his 100th appearance for the hosts, darted over to ultimately seal a first home victory in 2025 for Moseley.

The defeat for Rams was their third successive loss and as a result, they slipped to third in the standings and eight points off the top.

Leaders Richmond efficiently went about their business away at 13th-placed Leicester Lions to secure a 26-10 bonus-point victory, while Rotherham Titans edged past Bishop’s Stortford (9th) 17-11 to move up to second in the standings.

A 10th win from their last 11 games means Harvey Biljon’s side are seven points behind Richmond and the Yorkshire outfit also have a game in hand, which takes place this coming Saturday away at Esher (12th).

Elsewhere, four tries in 20 first-half minutes helped Plymouth Albion (5th) to an eighth consecutive victory as they got past a spirited Sedgley Park (10th) at Brickfields while Rosslyn Park (4th) racked up another half-century in their 50-19 away win at Dings Crusaders (11th).

There was also a convincing win for Blackheath (6th) who scored nine tries to defeat Esher 64-22 away from home while Sale FC (8th) made it three wins in a row at Heywood Road as they beat bottom club Darlington Mowden Park 33-7.

National Two North

League leaders Leeds Tykes delivered the first potential psychological blow of the National Two North promotion race as they defeated title rivals Sheffield (2nd) 24-18 in West Yorkshire.

Both sides came into this heavyweight clash in imperious form but it was the hosts who took an eight-minute lead when Adam Brown scooted over before Jack Smith galloped through the Sheffield defence to help double Leeds’ advantage.

On the stroke of half-time, Sheffield’s Johnny Castleton touched down to reduce the arrears but Charlie Venables got a third for Leeds on 55 minutes to keep them in control.

However, Sheffield rallied and a Christian Hooper try, plus an Elliot Fisher penalty, made it 21-15 but Kit Keith’s three-pointer for the hosts put the visitors out of losing bonus-point territory.

 

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The away side did ultimately manage to head back to Abbeydale Park with a losing bonus thanks to a late penalty from Fisher, but it was Leeds who secured this crucial victory as the run-in begins to gather pace.

The result for Pete Seabourne and Pete Lucock’s men leaves them four points clear of Sheffield, while fellow top spot candidates Lymm (3rd) suffered another setback as they were beaten 31-7 away at Otley (12th). Successive defeats for the Cheshire outfit leaves them 13 points off the summit with a game in hand.

In terms of Otley, Round 19’s success was a very welcome victory following a run of just one win in nine matches. Kyle Dench’s men are four points clear of the danger zone – with an important game in hand to come against bottom club Billingham on Saturday –  while Harrogate (13th) gave their own survival hopes a major shot in the arm with a 27-24 home triumph over Fylde (4th).

As for table rivals Billingham, they were beaten 32-14 at home by Wharfedale (5th) while elsewhere, Chester (7th) claimed just their second away win since the opening day of the campaign as they defeated an in-form Tynedale (6th) 31-29, Hull Ionians also succeeded on the road as Lewis Minikin inspired his side to a 27-17 victory at Sheffield Tigers (11th) and Hull (10th) picked up an important 41-24 win against table rivals Preston Grasshoppers (9th).

National Two East

Worthing Raiders (13th) boosted their hopes of staying in National Two East as they secured just their second win of the term after beating Bury St Edmunds (7th) 38-35.

Despite entering Round 19 with no victory since November, Jimmy Staples (2), Harry Forrest and Frank Taggert scores put Worthing 24-7 up at half-time.

It was first blood to the Raiders after the break as a brilliant team move was rounded off by Kemp Price to extend the hosts’ advantage.

 

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Bury’s Callum Hall swapped tries with Tom Bowen before the visitors launched a fightback in the final quarter. Tries from Alex Earnshaw (2) and Will Metcalfe set up a tense finish at Roundstone Lane, but Worthing saw out the job to improve their situation towards the foot of the division.

Table rivals Oxford Harlequins (12th) continue to distance themselves from danger as Pete Davies’ troops recorded back-to-back wins after seeing off bottom-of-the-table Colchester 40-34 away from home. Oxford Quins are now 12 points clear of the bottom two, while Sevenoaks (10th) are on a similar trajectory after beating Henley Hawks (6th) 24-22 at The Paddock to make it six victories from their last nine games.

At the top, there is no let up from leaders Tonbridge Juddians who proved too strong for Kent rivals Canterbury (4th) in a 46-23 win away from home. Seb Sherwood and Jordan-Turner Hall’s charges have now won their last seven matches and remain six points clear of Barnes – with a game in hand – after the second-placed side continued their good recent form as they eventually shrugged off Havant (11th) to record a 36-29 away success.

Meanwhile, Dorking (3rd) returned to winning ways with an excellent seven-try 45-23 triumph over Westcombe Park (5th) – who saw their seven-match unbeaten run come to an end – while Old Albanian (9th) have now won four of their last five games after becoming the first side to beat Guernsey (8th) at Footes Lane this term. OAs with a 28-21 success in that one.

National Two West

Devonport Services (14th) are certainly not throwing in the towel as the division’s bottom club beat Hinckley (10th) 28-22 to reignite their survival hopes in National Two West.

Ben Russell’s side were 14-10 to the good at the break following a neat try from Tom Davies and a close-range effort from Aiden Taylor.

Hinckley had replied via Will Callan and the boot of Rory Vowels, but a penalty try on 53 minutes and a yellow card to the aforementioned Taylor gave the visitors a lift. However, their 17-14 advantage lasted only five minutes as quick-fire tries from George Pooley and Davies gave the home side a lead they didn’t relinquish.

Callan’s second five minutes from the end made things a little tense at The Rectory Field, but Devonport held out for their third victory of the campaign.

The result leaves them 11 points from safety with their next fixture on March 1st coming against 13th-placed Macclesfield, who picked up a losing bonus point in a 25-19 loss to title candidates Clifton. Notably, Macc have a game in hand this coming Saturday against Exeter University (11th) at Priory Park and a positive home result for Matt Coleridge’s side could move them out of the danger zone.

Table rivals Bournville (12th) continue to hover precariously above the bottom two after they experienced another tough afternoon following a 52-5 loss to league leaders Camborne.

The Chocos are three points clear of Macclesfield while from a Camborne perspective, their latest victory maintained their six-point lead at the summit.

Elsewhere in the division, Taunton moved up to third with a 36-25 triumph over Luctonians (6th) and Redruth (5th) made it five wins on the spin with a 17-10 victory over Cinderford (3rd) while Loughborough Students (7th) jumped into the top half after a flurry of first half tries helped them to a 34-7 win over Old Redcliffians (9th) and Hornets (8th) played some dazzling rugby at times to see off Exeter University (11th) 45-22.

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