Round Eight Review: Late wins, vital boosts and winning runs conclude first block of games
The first chapter of the National League Rugby season has drawn to a close, and Round Eight ensured it ended on a high, serving up drama, quality, and plenty to savour before the one-week break. Photo Credit: (Steve Karpa)
National One
Leicester Lions (12th) backed up last weekend’s first win of the campaign with a dramatic 24-19 bonus-point victory over Leeds Tykes (13th) after overturning a deficit in the final quarter.
The Tykes appeared in control after three penalties from Seremaia Turagabeci and a converted try from Ewan Laughton established a 16-0 lead. However, the Lions clawed their way back into contention through an Oliver Crane brace, reducing the gap to just four points.
Turagabeci added another penalty to keep Leeds ahead, but two late tries from Bradley McKenna – his second arriving four minutes from time – completed the turnaround and ensured that Leicester Lions head into the break on a high.
Clifton (10th) produced a spirited comeback to claim an important 55-29 victory at Station Road, overturning an early 19-7 deficit to defeat an injury-hit Bishop’s Stortford who have now fallen to the foot of the division.
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After conceding tries to Alex Gilham, Toby Hill and Saracens youngster Finn Keylock, the hosts rallied to level the scores before taking control in the second half. Six tries from Mitch Spencer, Ollie Harris, Jay Evans, Oliver Sterling, Toby Hutchinson and Brad Talbot sealed Clifton’s second win of the campaign.
At the summit, Rosslyn Park (1st) underlined their title credentials with a hard-fought 27-24 triumph over Sale FC (6th) at the Morson Stadium. Trailing 24-17, Luke Mehson’s try hauled Park back into contention before Benji Marfo delivered the decisive blow three minutes from time, ensuring Steve Neville and Kieran Power’s side remained top of the pile.
Rotherham Titans (2nd) kept pace with the leaders, responding to last week’s defeat at Dings Crusaders by battling past Tonbridge Juddians 38-28. Behind 21-12 at the break at Clifton Lane, Harvey Biljon’s men rallied with four second-half tries to return to winning ways.
Plymouth Albion (3rd) rounded off the opening block of fixtures in style, securing a 36-21 victory over Birmingham Moseley (11th) in front of over 2,000 people on Saturday night at Brickfields.
The result lifted Albion into third place at the expense of Rams (5th), who slipped to a 26-7 home defeat against Blackheath (4th).
A red card for Rams winger Charles Robson after just 13 minutes shifted the dynamic of this game, and despite the hosts still managing to create chances, Blackheath went on to take full advantage to claim the points in Berkshire.
Meanwhile, Sedgley Park (7th) also bounced back at the first attempt, overcoming injuries and Dings Crusaders to earn a 29-22 success at Park Lane.
National Two North
Scunthorpe (14th) brought a difficult opening block of their National Two North campaign to a satisfying close, claiming their first victory of the season with a narrow 27-25 win away at Hull (13th).
The hosts took control early on through Alec Renouf’s try and the reliable boot of Reece Dean, opening up a 13-0 lead. But Scunthorpe battled back, with Joe Mowbray crossing and Will Dark adding seven points to draw the sides level.
The visitors then went in front as second-row Grant Elliott touched down twice, but Hull weren’t done yet. Late tries from Mike Jobling and Charlie Beech set up a tense finish, though with only one conversion successful, Scunthorpe held on to celebrate a long-awaited and hard-earned first win.
Billingham (10th) also claimed a crucial victory at Greenwood Road, edging out Sheffield Tigers (12th) 35-31 in an entertaining contest. Elliott Husband’s try five minutes from time proved decisive, sealing the win for Peter Evans and Dan Finney’s side.
At the summit, Sheffield continued their 100 per cent start to the season, recording an eighth consecutive bonus-point win with a 41-25 triumph over Macclesfield (4th).
The league leaders were made to work hard, however, after two first-half yellow cards and a red for Felix Crapper – dismissed following an incident in the tunnel at half-time – disrupted their rhythm.
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Trailing 25-24 midway through the second half after Toby Talbot’s try put Macc ahead, Sheffield showed their promotion credentials once again as Chris Hooper completed his hat-trick and Zak Poole crossed late on to seal the victory.
Darlington Mowden Park (2nd) also remain firmly in contention, rounding off the first block of fixtures with a sixth consecutive win.
Following relegation from National One, Danny Brown and John Newton’s men appear to be finding their stride, underlining their intent with a convincing 36-12 success away at Hull Ionians (6th).
Tynedale (3rd) sit just two points behind their North-East rivals after a hard-fought 24-19 win over Fylde (5th) at Woodlands, while Preston Grasshoppers (7th) staged a late surge to overcome Wharfedale 46-41 in a thrilling encounter at Lightfoot Green.
Three tries in the final quarter from Billy Glover, Louis Singleton and Ben Haigh – along with a penalty from the excellent Ed Keohane – saw Hoppers secure back-to-back home victories.
And elsewhere, Otley (8th) continued their run of high-scoring encounters with a 43-32 win away at Rossendale. The visitors raced into a 29-3 half-time lead thanks to scores from Corey McCormack, Jacob Holmes, Adam Malthouse and Jonathan Freeman, before withstanding a spirited second-half fightback from the hosts.
National Two East
Henley Hawks (10th) produced their best result of the season so far, storming to a much-needed 47-12 victory over Esher (8th).
The hosts were in full flight before the break, with tries from Toby Howe (2), Will Benning and Kadeem Collins securing the bonus point inside 40 minutes for Luke Allen’s side.
After the restart, further scores from Leo Webb, Benning and Spencer Hayhow – along with 12 points from the boot of Will Baildon – capped a dominant display. Esher could only respond through James Botterill and Bart Godsell as they slipped to a third consecutive defeat, while Henley celebrated the confidence-boosting win they had been searching for.
London Welsh (12th) capped their 140th anniversary celebrations with an important 46-32 victory over Havant (11th) in front of a crowd of over 1,000 at Old Deer Park.
In a pulsating first half featuring seven tries, Welsh raced into a 15-0 lead thanks to scores from Garin Lloyd, Daffyd Manley and Harri Lang, before holding a 27-20 advantage at the interval.
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The second period remained fiercely contested, but Adam Dunne’s try six minutes from time sealed a second win of the season for Cai Griffiths’ side.
At the top, Old Albanian (1st) continued their superb start to the campaign, making it seven wins from eight with a 49-28 triumph over Oundle (4th). Quickfire starts to both halves underpinned another impressive display from the league leaders.
Barnes (2nd) remain firmly in pursuit after overcoming a more than spirited Sevenoaks (13th) 43-24. Tries from Dan Robertshaw (2) and Adam Musa in the final quarter ensured victory for Jack Heald’s men, keeping them within four points of OAs.
Bury St Edmunds climbed into third following a breathless 43-40 win away at Canterbury (9th) – their fourth straight success on the road – while Guernsey Raiders (5th) extended their winning streak to five matches with a 38-22 victory over Westcombe Park at Footes Lane.
First-half tries from Anthony Armstrong, Charlie Simmonds and Ciaran McGann set the platform for Jordan Reynolds’ team, who held firm despite a spirited response from the visitors.
And last but certainly not least, Dorking (6th) delivered the standout attacking display of the weekend, running in 13 tries to dispatch Oxford Harlequins (14th) 77-7 at The Big Field.
National Two West
Camborne (1st) will head into November with their flawless record intact after sweeping aside Exeter University (11th) 43-26 on the road.
Five tries either side of half-time from Jordan Nicholls, Alex Ducker (2), CJ Boyce and Sam Matavesi saw the league leaders take complete control, maintaining their five-point cushion at the summit.
Luctonians (2nd) continue to gather momentum, extending their winning streak to seven matches with an impressive 35-10 victory away at Cinderford (7th).
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Fly-half Tom Jones kept the scoreboard ticking in the first half as Luctonians trailed 7-6 at the break, before the Herefordshire side ran in four second-half tries to underline their growing confidence.
Barnstaple climbed into third after returning to winning ways with a hard-fought 28-21 triumph over Chester (10th). Henry Sellick was once again the toast of Pottington Road, crossing 10 minutes from time to seal a fifth home victory for Barum.
Redruth (4th) endured a tough afternoon as they fell 44-15 at Taunton Titans (8th), who stormed into a commanding 34-0 lead to put the game beyond reach, while Hornets (5th) ran in four first-half tries and stood tall in defence to earn a 35-14 win over Loughborough Students (13th) at The Nest.
Lymm (6th) closed out a strong first block of fixtures by claiming their second away win of the season, edging Old Redcliffians 29-26 at Scotland Lane while Hinckley (10th) secured back-to-back home victories with a 37-28 success over Syston (14th). This all-Midlands affair was played in front of 1,150 at Leicester Road.
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