Plus, the momentum of Guernsey and Lymm continued thanks to late victories while Rams + Richmond were tested in National One. (Photo Credit: Josh Thomas)

Reds ruin Luctonians’ winning run

A week can be a long time in rugby and the past seven days may have felt like that for National Two West’s Redruth (8th).

After being on the cusp of becoming the first team since last October to beat sixth-placed Old Redcliffians away from home, Nigel Hambly’s side were left crestfallen as Kacey Pike’s late try snatched victory for the Bristolians.

However, that stinging pain was replaced by jubilation in Round Six as the Reds ended Luctonians’ (2nd) winning start by clinching a thrilling 38-29 victory at The Recreation Ground.

Scrum-half Will Rigelsford starred on debut as his second try six minutes from time sealed a third win of the season for Redruth, while young fly-half Dean Wills chipped in with a score as well as 13 points from the tee.

Lucs – who had begun the term with five victories from five – were 17-14 up at the break with Owen Randell and Jack Goodwin deservedly going over before Ryan Watkins’ troops showed great character to fightback from 28-17 down to lead with 10 minutes remaining.

However, after heartbreak last week, Redruth had the final say this time around.

Ironically, with Redruth defeating Luctonians, it has allowed local rivals Camborne (1st) to move to the summit of the division as a hat-trick from Ben Priddey – plus excellent displays from Kyle Moyle and Josh Matavesi – helped the Cherry and Whites to a 41-19 success over Hinckley.

Gritty wins help Esher and Harrogate open accounts

Five losses in a row to begin life in the division above is far from ideal but in Round Six, any feelings of frustration around National One’s Esher and National Two North newcomers Harrogate evaporated.

Both had immediately bounced back from relegation disappointment and for Esher, Saturday saw them come up against a Darlington Mowden Park side who were also on the hunt for their first victory.

It was far from a classic at Molesey Road but Peter Winterbottom’s charges won’t care a jot as second-half scores from Harry Faulkner and Caleb Ashworth pushed them to a 31-21 victory.

As for Harrogate, they defeated Chester 22-16 at the Apollo Capital Stadium but had to come from 13-0 down to do so. Debutant Fred Chell led the charge while Sam Shepherd’s first try for the club 13 minutes from time ultimately sealed the win.

Surprise packages leave it late to continue excellent starts

Both National Two East’s Guernsey Raiders and National Two North outfit Lymm finished 10th in their respective divisions last season, and their eye-catching and extremely encouraging starts to this term continued in Round Six…but only just.

After back-to-back fixtures against two of their fellow top five sides – Canterbury (4th) and Tonbridge Juddians (1st) – welcoming another early pacesetter Barnes (5th) to Footes Lane was going test Guernsey’s credentials once again.

Their performances against both Canterbury (a 41-23 victory) and Tonbridge Juddians (a narrow 38-37 away defeat) provided us with a strong indication that the Raiders will be challenging towards the right end of the table this term, but Saturday’s last gasp 35-31 win over Barnes has only strengthened that notion.

Jack Colbourne’s try – converted by Ciaran McGann – concluded an engrossing contest which could have gone either way. Barnes led 21-20 at the interval through Rory Kassapian and Thomas Spencer-Jones while the visitors were also awarded a penalty try.

And the back and forth nature continued right up until Colbourne’s late effort which sealed a fourth successive home win for Jordan Reynolds’ side.

There were similar scenes up in the North-East with Lymm snatching a 37-32 victory away at Tynedale. The hosts – who remain winless – looked set for a third draw of the campaign only for winger Nathan Beesley to clinch a sixth successive bonus-point win for Lymm by completing his hat-trick a minute from time.

Tyne hooker Ralph Johnston had rumbled over on five occasions as the home side went in search of their maiden win but in the end, Adam Fletcher and Andy Davies’ side were able to march on.

There were also late winning moments for Sheffield (3rd) and Fylde (4th) in National Two North. Ryan Burrows’ converted try maintained Sheffield’s unbeaten start to the term as they edged past Hull 38-36 away from home while it is three wins on the spin for Fylde, with star man Ben Turner securing a 33-26 victory at Sheffield Tigers.

Rockstar Rocky leads Taunton to terrific triumph 

The leap from schoolboy rugby to adult rugby doesn’t sound like a straightforward transition. From playing against opposition in a similar age bracket to you to potentially facing vastly experienced players who have been around the block will challenge the ability and mindset of a youngster.

But if that is the case, Taunton’s (5th) Rocky Prowse is making it look like a walk in the park.

Last month, the 18-year-old caught the attention with a blistering length-of-the-field score in the Titans‘ 58-25 defeat to Camborne but a stunning five-try display in Round Six’s thumping 62-29 victory over Old Redcliffians (6th) has only enhanced his early reputation.

The ex-Blundell’s school pupil scored four of his five tries in a rampant first-half showing from Tony Yapp’s men, who led 52-0 at the break before Prowse went over for his fifth to put the icing on Taunton’s third straight victory.

Richmond roar back to stay unbeaten while stubborn Stortford stifle Rams

Heading into the weekend, Rams RFC (1st) and Richmond (2nd) were the top two in National One – and it remains that way – but the leading pair had to come through tough examinations on the road.

Rams travelled to Bishop’s Stortford (10th) with a perfect record but were made to work extremely hard at Silver Leys. In the end, they departed Hertfordshire with a narrow 10-6 victory thanks to Tomasz Pozniak’s try on the hour but they were denied a full five points for the first time this term by Tom Coleman’s stubborn and well-drilled side.

As for Richmond, two tries in the final eight minutes from Luc Jones and Will Goffey saw them rescue a 31-31 draw at Dings Crusaders (9th), who were led by some of Bristol Bears’ brightest talents. The likes of Deago Bailey and scrum-half Sam Edwards were on the scoresheet for Stean Williams’ men but Dings – who were 31-17 up approaching the final quarter – couldn’t convert their advantage into a third victory of the campaign.

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