Plus, Oxford Harlequins get off the mark in National Two East after battle of newly-promoted duo. (Photo Credit: Gareth Siddons)

Stortford stun Rotherham to end Titans’ home record

A positive couple of weeks for National One’s Bishop’s Stortford were amplified even further in Round Seven as they produced a relentless first-half showing to beat Rotherham 45-34 away from home.

The defeat for the Titans was their first at Clifton Lane since February 2023 and halted a 19-match winning streak on their own patch.

For Stortford, following a solid victory on the road at Sedgley Park in Round Five and a commendable display against league leaders Rams RFC last time out, this result in South Yorkshire continued an excellent October for Tom Coleman’s troops.

And their third win of the season was built on a clinical opening period as Chris Bolton, Jack Biard and Will Rogers (2) all went over inside just 28 minutes. A penalty try meant the visitors led 35-8 at the break but, as expected, Rotherham showed their steely determination to work their way back into the contest.

A brace from JB Bruzulier and a score from Tomasi Tanumi cut the deficit to 11 points but any hopes of a turnaround were effectively ended by Tom Mills who scored Storford’s sixth try on 79 minutes before Rotherham’s Harry Newborn went over for a consolation.

Watts the hero as Sheffield vs Leeds Tykes lives up to pre-match hype

Yes we are still in October and yes it might be too early to be hyping up top-of-the-table clashes, but when two excellent sides in the form of Sheffield (3rd) and Leeds Tykes (2nd) put on such an absorbing contest in National Two North, surely any fervour is justified?

Last season, five points separated both meetings between the two Yorkshire counterparts and on this occasion, it was the boot of Leeds’ James Watts which clinched a 13-12 victory for the Tykes at Sheffield’s Abbeydale Park.

This was a first home defeat in over a year for Sheffield – and the loss also ended their winning start to the season – while Leeds have now won seven from seven following this dogged triumph.

After scores from Charlie Venables and Adam Brown had given the visitors a 10-7 lead, Matt Adcock’s try on 71 minutes nudged the hosts in front but Watts’ sweetly struck penalty clinched it for the Tykes.

You may go as far as saying that this win for Leeds, in terms of the title battle, is the first real statement of intent of the season but on this evidence, these two teams could well be slugging it out right up until April.

Lymm may have something to say about that though, as the North-West side moved to the top of the table. Adam Fletcher and Andy Davies’ men dispatched Otley 53-22 to maintain their 100 per cent record with winger Nathan Beesley scoring twice and taking his tally to 12 tries for the season.

Dorking nearly derailed by indiscipline but survive to make it six in a row

In recent weeks, the National Two East headlines may have belonged to league leaders Tonbridge Juddians or even second-placed Guernsey Raiders but Dorking (3rd) are making themselves hard to ignore, especially as a dramatic 40-31 victory away at Westcombe Park (7th) extended their winning run to six matches.

Goddington Dene has been a fortress for Westcombe Park as before Round Seven, David Marshall’s side hadn’t lost at home for nine matches so it was always going to be a challenging afternoon for Dorking.

The half-time scoreline of 21-19 in favour of the visitors highlighted this, but what occurred in the second period meant the task of becoming the first team since January to depart Greater London with a win became much harder.

In the space of seven minutes, Tom Bristow, Tom Howe and Jasper King were all yellow-carded leaving Dorking down to 12 men and Westcombe Park duly capitalised through Thomas Burman.

However, back to 14 men, Dorking were able to level the scores at 26-26 via hat-trick hero Toby McRae before Henry Anscombe’s converted try gave them the lead with eight minutes remaining.

Job done? Not quite. King was then shown a red card which was instantly punished by Westcombe Park’s Frank Kitchen to make it a two-point game but Dorking dug deep and eventually sealed the win thanks to Tyler Norwood’s late try.

The victory for Armand Roux’s men – who were also distrupted by injuries in this game – leaves them hot on the heels of Guernsey (2nd) and table-toppers Tonbridge Juddians who produced a second-half fightback to defeat Kent rivals Canterbury (5th) 40-24 as they preserved their perfect start to the season.

Old Reds produce thrilling comeback to protect Scotland Lane sequence 

Halloween is just around the corner but National Two West’s Old Redcliffians (3rd) have already experienced a nightmare as well as two almighty frights in October.

Dan Cox’s side won’t forgive me for bringing up the ghosts of Round Six’s 62-29 defeat away at Taunton Titans so we will focus on their last two home games where we’ve been treated to drama.

In Round Five, Kacey Pike saved the day as his late try snatched a 45-40 win over Redruth. That result meant Old Reds had completed a whole year without suffering a defeat at Scotland Lane but their unbeaten 13-match winning streak looked under serious threat against Loughborough Students (6th) on Saturday.

After conceding three tries in the opening 10 minutes to a rampant Loughborough, the Bristolians then found themselves 33-7 down and with a mountain to climb.

Scores before the break from Ethan Doyle and Sam Taylor reduced the arrears to 12 points and Old Reds then took the lead.

Harry O’Donnell and Taylor went over to flip the game on its head but Jenson McInulty’s second of the afternoon gave Loughborough the advantage again. However, it was in the final 12 minutes where the hosts completed their rescue act as Bentley Halpin and Jalen Curry went over to protect Old Reds’ fine home record.

Roberts drives Oxford Harlequins to first win of campaign

The meeting of newly-promoted pair Oxford Harlequins (11th) and Colchester (14th) in National Two East was always likely to improve the fortunes of one of the clubs.

Both entered Round Seven still without a win to their name but it was Oxford Quins who were able to get off the mark, with James Roberts powering them to a 48-22 win at the Horspath Sports Ground.

Pete Davies’ side utilised their rolling maul to perfection with hooker Roberts profiting throughout the afternoon. He dotted down on four occasions, three of which came in the second half after Quins had led 17-15 at the break.

Further efforts from George Primett and Adam Field took the game away from Colchester who were left frustrated once again.

Victory for Oxford Quins takes them into double figures, points-wise, for the season while Worthing (12th) and Sevenoaks (13th) also managed to add to their respective tallies.

Despite still searching for their first victories of the campaign, Worthing collected two bonus points in a 32-29 defeat at Bury St Edmunds (7th) while Sevenoaks did the same in their 26-20 loss at Henley (10th) although it could have been much more for Adam Bowman’s side as they failed to convert any of their four tries.

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