The Review: A full-throttle Saturday encapsulates frenetic nature of Round Three
From the first whistle to the last, Round Three seemed to be in overdrive with thrilling contests, late winners, maiden victories and unbeaten starts headlining the weekend. (Photo Credit: Mall Bolter)
National One
For the second week running, Tonbridge Juddians (3rd) claimed a thrilling one-point victory as they edged out Cambridge (14th) 53-52 in a remarkable contest at The Slade.
Cambridge looked to be in control after building a 38-14 lead inside the opening 30 minutes, with Billy Walker, Ruaridh Dawson (2), Tom Petty, Ethan Thorne and Elias Caven all crossing.
But TJs refused to go away.
Tries from Alfie Scopes and Will Holling before half-time reduced the deficit to 12 points, before the hosts came flying out of the blocks after the restart. Tom Mannix and Matt Engelbrecht crossed to level the scores.
Connor Lloyd and Caven exchanged tries before the game entered its final 10 minutes locked at 45-45.
There was still time for an absorbing finish. Jack Walsh’s try and a Lloyd penalty, after Jasper Sorrell was shown a yellow card, put TJs 53-45 ahead.
Cambridge fly-half Luke Bouchier then missed what appeared to be a routine penalty in front of the posts, but the Blood and Sand were not finished.
Thorne crossed with the final play of the game to secure two bonus points in defeat, as TJs held on to win while Cambridge’s search for a first victory continues.
Leeds Tykes (7th) claimed their first success of the season in emphatic fashion, scoring 38 unanswered points in the second half to stun London Scottish (8th) 57-10.
Two tries inside the opening four minutes from Charlie Venables and Kieran Davies laid the foundations for a 19-10 half-time lead, but the Tykes took complete control after the interval.
Matt Salisbury completed his hat-trick, while George Worthington, Matt Casselden and Kristan Dobsion (2) also crossed.
Camborne (6th) produced another impressive comeback as they recovered from 21-0 down to beat Rosslyn Park (9th) 40-26 away from home.
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Park had raced into a commanding position inside the opening 27 minutes, with Luke Mehson crossing twice.
But Ben Priddey, Alex Ducker and Michael Stupple responded with three tries either side of half-time to haul Camborne back into contention.
Fred Davies’ score on 53 minutes briefly restored Park’s advantage, but Camborne then seized control.
A second try for Priddey, coupled with a yellow card for Park’s Tom Bell, swung the contest decisively in the visitors’ favour, with Priddey going on to complete his hat-trick.
Frankie Nowell’s try a minute from time sealed an excellent victory for the newly-promoted side.
Elsewhere for the third season running, Bishop’s Stortford (4th) left Old Bath Road with a victory after beating Rams (13th) 34-31.
The return of Will Rogers, Chris Bolton and Austin Pope helped Stortford respond to their heavy Round Two defeat against Rosslyn Park, although they were made to work for it.
Stortford trailed 26-20 before a yellow card for Rams’ Max Marshall proved costly, with Pope and Mathis Dehauteur crossing to put the visitors ahead.
James Baker’s late try ensured Rams collected two bonus points, but Stortford held on for the win.
Plymouth Albion (1st) and Sale FC (2nd) remain ruthlessly efficient at the top of the table, with both sides making it three successive bonus-point victories.
Albion’s Sam Daly scored four of their seven tries in a 47-5 victory over Sheffield (10th), with Ryan Lamb’s side producing another impressive performance in front of 2,319 supporters at Brickfields.
Sale FC also defeated a newly-promoted side, beating Bury St Edmunds (11th) 45-15 in Suffolk.
Having led 14-10 at half-time, Sale pulled clear after the interval through tries from Sale Sharks youngsters Dom Hanson and Osian Roberts, as well as Ollie Longmore and Owain Williams. A penalty try also contributed to the final margin.
And Birmingham Moseley (5th) continued their encouraging start with a 35-31 victory over Dings Crusaders (12th).
First-half tries from Noah Cowan, Morgan Dawes and Elliott Creed put Moseley 21-5 ahead at the break.
Dings responded through Sam Scott and Matt Bowler before both sides exchanged two converted tries, but Moseley held on to make it back-to-back victories at Billesley Common.
National Two North
Heath (7th) claimed their first National Two North victory as they held on for a 26-24 success against Sheffield Tigers (13th) at Dore Moor.
Jake Haynes’ try was cancelled out by Louis Redfern-Brown’s score and a Tom O’Brien penalty before Daniel Smith’s effort on the stroke of half-time edged Heath 12-10 ahead.
The newly-promoted visitors then created some breathing room as Callum Harriott-Brown and Clifford Howard both crossed.
But the Tigers didn’t lie down.
Silas Talbot scored before Miles Dodsworth crossed in the 78th minute to set up a tense finale, but Heath held on to secure their maiden victory at this level.
Towards the top of the division, Hull Ionians (2nd) recorded a third successive bonus-point win after producing a storming comeback against Fylde (11th).
Maliq Holden’s side eventually ran out 57-29 winners at Brantingham Park, despite trailing 22-12 after 28 minutes following scores from Gabe Maguire, James Sutcliffe, Will Kelso and Mike Walton.
The I’s responded in style, with Oliver Arnold completing a hat-trick and number eight Ben Hyde taking his tally to four for the afternoon. Ben Stephenson also crossed as the hosts produced a powerful second-half display.
Sedgley Park (1st) also made it 15 points from 15 after a 33-16 victory over Tynedale (12th).
Three first-half tries gave Sedge a 21-7 lead, but a trio of Josh Leslie penalties kept Tynedale in touch at 21-16.
Two Luke Cole tries – to complete his hat-trick – eventually put the result beyond doubt and maintained Sedge’s perfect start.
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Preston Grasshoppers (3rd) complete the trio of sides with three wins from three after beating Harrogate (5th) 52-33.
Hoppers scored six first-half tries to lead 45-5, another indication of the strong start Dan Orwin’s side have made to the new campaign.
Harrogate responded through Greg Minikin, Tom Steene, Matthew Leatham and Sam Gott to ensure The Aces returned to Yorkshire with a try bonus.
Billingham (10th) are off the mark for the season after a compelling 47-36 victory over Wharfedale (14th).
The contest at Greenwood Road was tit-for-tat throughout, but Billingham’s four second-half tries proved decisive, with Anthony Jackson, Louie Groark (2) and Man of the Match Charlie Evans – who scored a hat-trick – all crossing.
There were also excellent wins for Darlington Mowden Park (4th) and Chester (6th).
After their blistering display against Tynedale in Round Two, DMP were at it again against Huddersfield (9th), storming to a 61-19 victory.
Neil Young and Darren Fearn’s side scored four tries inside the opening half-hour, with Liam Checksfield claiming two, before exciting Newcastle Red Bulls winger Alfie Warwick went over for a second-half hat-trick.
As for Chester, they secured their first victory at Otley (8th) for 13 years following a 50-28 success.
Rhys Hayes’ side led 19-14 at the break, and they were also a man to the good after Otley’s Jonathan Freeman was sent off.
Otley did secure a try bonus, but second-half scores from Ben Ivory – who completed his hat-trick – Archie Callaghan, Sam Rogers and Tom Ellis sealed a second win of the season for Chester.
National Two East
Esher (4th) left it until the final minute to claim a thrilling 34-31 victory over Canterbury (6th) at The Marine Travel Ground.
Max Campbell’s 72nd-minute try appeared to have won it for Canterbury, who had fought back from 24-14 down in the second half.
But Charles Cadogan had the final say, squeezing in at the corner to snatch victory for Esher who made it back-to-back wins.
The EEEs had led by 10 points after scores from Anthony Pedlar, Josh Thorne and Cadogan, plus a penalty try, only for Canterbury to launch a comeback.
Oliver Ashley-Jones and Ryley Thomas crossed to put the hosts 26-24 ahead before Pedlar’s second swung the pendulum back in Esher’s favour.
Canterbury regained the lead through Campbell, but Cadogan’s late finish ensured the visitors had the final word.
There was also a late twist at Old Deer Park where Colchester (5th) edged London Welsh (7th) 43-30 thanks to Benji Mills’ 79th-minute penalty.
Welsh had enjoyed the better of the opening 40 minutes, with scores from Ed Morgan, Harry Breeze and Oli Monye giving them a 21-5 half-time lead.
But Colchester hit back through Harry Bureau and Ethan Cole before a penalty try put the visitors ahead.
Max Bodilly restored Welsh’s advantage, only for Colchester to cross twice either side of the hour.
Lewis Jeffery and Matt Wagstaff’s storming finish made it 40-28, but Welsh levelled things up with seven minutes remaining as Jack Blain and Hywel Williams responded.
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The final say, however, belonged to Colchester, with Mills calmly slotting the decisive penalty to seal back-to-back victories for the newly-promoted side.
There were also seats in the winners’ lounge for both Dorking (12th) and Leicester Lions (13th) as they got off the mark in Round Three.
Dorking got one over old foes Barnes (8th) with a 30-25 victory on the road.
After a scrappy first period which ended 17-17, Murdock Lock’s converted try and two penalties from the impressive Jack Thorn proved to be the difference.
As for Leicester, they eventually shrugged off a stubborn Jersey RFC (14th) 30-17 at Westleigh Park, with Elefio Vulimai-igiladi and Louis Roumignac both crossing in the final quarter.
The trio of National Two East pace-setters made it three bonus-point wins from three, with Oundle (1st) beating Havant (10th) 39-26 at Hooks Lane.
Havant led 14-12 during the first half, but a brace from Anthony Maka and a Finlay Ogden score – either side of the break – put Oundle in front and it was a lead they never relinquished.
Second-placed Guernsey Raiders (2nd) beat Henley (9th) 39-19 in their first home game of the season.
Jordan Reynolds’ side led 17-14 at half-time before tries from Tom Ceillam, Ethan Smith and Anthony Armstrong helped them pull clear at Footes Lane. Fly-half Gwyn Parks also kicked 12 points.
And Old Albanian (3rd) scored eight tries in their 55-24 away win at Westcombe Park (11th).
OAs led 24-19 at the break before racing clear after the interval, with Kalisitiane Elone, Alex Noot, Elliot McPhun, Will Jackson and Toby Ponsford all crossing.
National Two West
Cinderford (9th) claimed their first win of the new National Two West season following a breathless 53-31 victory over Loughborough Students (13th).
The Students surged into a 21-10 lead before tries from Oliver Johnson, Cormac Saint and Joe Winfield gave Cinderford a 10-point advantage at half-time.
Unconverted scores from Loughborough’s Louis Nancekivell and Harry Foster, either side of Rio Ebanks’ try for Cinderford, made it 38-31.
But the hosts finished strongly, with Jacob Perkins and Sam Smith both crossing before Winfield’s late penalty confirmed a first success of the campaign for Clive Stuart-Smith’s side.
League leaders Clifton (1st) held on for a tense 34-32 victory against Hornets (7th) to make it three successive bonus-point wins.
Sonny Davis (2), Jack Parkinson and Henry Webb put Hornets 25-15 ahead at half-time, with Max McCarthy and Ethan Allen responding for Clifton.
The visitors then turned the screw, scoring three tries to move 34-25 in front heading into the final quarter.
Adam Francis’ 69th-minute try set up a dramatic finale, but a late penalty from Hornets – from just inside the Clifton half – fell short as the visitors held on.
Redruth (2nd) also made it three wins from three thanks to a 28-14 victory over Barnstaple (11th).
The boot of Joe Cummins played its part for the Reds, with the fly-half on loan from Cornish Pirates kicking 13 points.
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Barnstaple moved in front shortly after half-time through George Snell and a penalty try, but Redruth negotiated a spell down to 14 men before hitting back.
Tom Cowan-Dickie and Noah Clifford crossed either side of Cummins’ conversion – and a drop-goal – to secure victory.
In terms of Taunton (3rd), they ran in nine tries – five of them in the first half – as they defeated winless Exeter University (14th) 61-21.
Luctonians (4th) also continued their unbeaten start away at Old Redcliffians (8th), leaving Scotland Lane with a 33-19 victory after first-half tries from Owien Harriott-Davis, Ben Link (2) and Caleb Montgomery set the platform.
Fifth-placed Lymm (5th) registered back-to-back wins at Crouchley Lane but were made to work for their 35-31 success against new boys Devonport Services (12th).
The ‘Sporting Blues’ recovered from 22-7 down to lead by four points thanks to tries from Henry Clement (2) and Finlay White.
However, a penalty from Tom Shard and a second brace in as many weeks for Jack Reynolds moved Lymm back in front. Despite Daniel Goldstone’s reply on 71 minutes, Lymm were able to see out the victory.
And last but certainly not least, Ed James and Travis Bennett-Allcock both scored hat-tricks as Hinckley (6th) powered to a 70-28 victory over Bournville (10th).
Alex White’s side were 14-3 behind after just 11 minutes but took full advantage as four yellow cards across the afternoon left Bournville struggling to contain them.
Hinckley ultimately ran in 10 tries at Leicester Road to round off another high-scoring weekend in National League Rugby.
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