The Preview: Halloween treats await as National League Rugby returns with top-of-the-table battles
National League Rugby returns with top-of-the-table treats across National Two North, East and West, while National One should serve up plenty of gripping storylines. (Photo Credit: @photography_by_jessgrace)
National One
Following their relegation from Champ Rugby last season, life in National One has not been straightforward for Cambridge (14th) and London Scottish (8th). For the latter, however, the last three weeks would have felt a whole lot better.
As the two sides prepare to meet at Ellgia Fields on Saturday, Scottish arrive on the back of successive wins, including a derby-day 38-26 victory at Rosslyn Park, after ending a run of four straight defeats.
The Exiles will hope that momentum continues as National One returns. If it does, they could rub further salt into Cambridge wounds.
Scottish won both meetings between the sides in the Champ last term, but Craig Newby would love to put that record straight this weekend.
An assortment of injuries and unavailabilities has not helped the Blood and Sand’s cause, but if they are to halt a run of seven straight defeats, they must cut out their unforced errors. Newby admitted as much after Cambridge’s 33-22 loss to Sheffield in Round Seven.
In the first half in South Yorkshire, Cambridge failed to capitalise on their opportunities, and in Newby’s words: ‘We didn’t get beaten today. We lost it’.
The Cambridge boss will be hopeful that some of his absentees can return for Round Eight as the men from Grantchester Road look for that 80-minute performance as well as that elusive victory.
As it stands, Cambridge are seven points behind fellow bottom-three sides Dings Crusaders (13th) and Sheffield (12th), who both face top-five opposition this weekend.
Sheffield open the second block of their campaign with a trip to Sale FC (5th), and the visitors could still be buoyed by their precious win over Cambridge a fortnight ago.
As for Sale, the record books show three defeats in their last four games, but fine margins against top-three sides Tonbridge Juddians (three-point defeat), Plymouth Albion (10-point defeat) and Camborne (four-point defeat) have gone against them. They will be keen to turn those narrow losses into wins across the next month.
For Dings, the fixture list offers little respite as they host Camborne (3rd), who sit five points behind the current top two of Plymouth Albion and Tonbridge Juddians.
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Six wins from their opening seven games represents a superb start to Camborne’s maiden National One campaign, and ‘Town’ will be eager to build on that as the National Two West champions continue to turn heads.
As mentioned, Camborne currently sit behind the unbeaten duo of Plymouth Albion (1st) and Tonbridge Juddians (2nd), who entered the break with seven wins from seven and maximum points collected.
Those who like to look ahead may already have circled Round 12’s meeting between TJs and Albion at The Slade, but both sides have a demanding block of fixtures between Halloween and the arrival of the Christmas decorations to negotiate first.
Plymouth’s approach so far might remind readers of past champions such as Chinnor, Coventry and Hartpury, whose aura of efficiency was built on consistently delivering at both ends of the pitch. Ryan Lamb’s side have scored the most points and conceded the fewest so far.
They return to action with a trip to Bishop’s Stortford (6th), who will be keen to end a challenging October on a positive note after three successive defeats.
As for TJs, their 49-19 Round Seven triumph over Rams was arguably their most complete performance of the season so far, following a rollercoaster opening block.
Nail-biting, thrilling victories had become a recurring theme for Jordan Turner-Hall’s side, but their last result showed that their excellent attack can be matched by an equally effective defence.
With clashes against their fellow top-four sides to come between the end of November and Christmas, TJs will just be focused on their next assignment away at Birmingham Moseley (9th), who will be looking to lift any pre-Halloween gloom after back-to-back defeats.
Leeds Tykes (4th) have a decent view of the action above them, as Pete Seabourne and Pete Lucock’s side look to pick up from where they left off before the break.
Four wins from their last five games leaves them six points off the top three, with Lucock telling The Yorkshire Post this week that the strides the Tykes are making represent significant progress after a ninth-place finish last term.
The league’s second-best defence will be put to the test away at a developing Rams (11th), who have won their last two home games.
Meanwhile, Bury St Edmunds (10th), one place and one point above Rams, host Rosslyn Park (7th), with the home side aiming for a third consecutive win at GK IPA Haberden.
National Two North
We could be treated to something special on Halloween Saturday in National Two North, with the current top four meeting in Round Eight.
League leaders Sedgley Park (1st) have been the dominant side so far, recording seven bonus-point wins from seven and opening up a four-point gap at the summit.
Their clinical edge has come to the fore in recent weeks, and they will be eager to maintain their excellent progress. However, Round Eight opponents Preston Grasshoppers (4th) are capable of giving the Tigers more than just a fright at Lightfoot Green.
Dan Orwin’s side, who lost 24-19 to Sedge in pre-season, responded impressively to defeats against Wharfedale and Chester by ending the opening block with victories over Otley and Billingham.
Hoppers sit four points behind second-placed Darlington Mowden Park, but becoming the first side to tame Sedge this season would certainly enhance their solid start to the campaign.
Speaking of Darlington Mowden Park (2nd), following their opening day defeat to Sedgley Park, the North-East outfit have reeled off six successive victories, scoring 53 tries and 341 points in the process.
Neil Young and Darren Fearn’s side have blown teams away with their effervescent style of play in recent weeks, but a trip to third-placed Chester (3rd) represents precisely the kind of test that will reveal whether DMP are the main threat to Sedgley Park’s lead.
Ahead of their Round Seven meeting with Sheffield Tigers, Chester boss Rhys Hayes said there was still more to come from his side. He will be hoping that rings true more than ever after what unfolded a fortnight ago.
Leading 26-10, Chester looked well placed to claim their sixth win of the campaign, only to suffer a gut-wrenching 29-26 defeat in South Yorkshire. The men from Hare Lane will be champing at the bit to get back on the horse at the first attempt.
Do so, and they could move into the top two.
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Hull Ionians (5th) are just one point off the top four and have a game in hand following the postponement of their Round Seven fixture against Otley.
By the time Maliq Holden’s side kick off away at Billingham (12th) on Saturday, 21 days will have passed since the I’s 69-45 defeat to Chester. Following that first loss of the campaign, the Hull Ionians boss described his emotions as ‘disappointed, upset and annoyed’.
Their hosts, Billingham, will also be looking for a response after two difficult afternoons against Sedgley Park and Preston before the break, during which they conceded 18 tries and 123 points.
Peter Evans and Dan Finney’s side sit just three points above the automatic relegation places, currently occupied by Otley (13th) and Wharfedale (14th).
Like Hull Ionians, Otley have not played since Round Six and return to action against a rejuvenated Sheffield Tigers (8th), who, after five straight defeats, have won their last two matches.
The last time the pair met at Cross Green was just over 12 months ago, when Otley claimed a pulsating 37-36 win. The Beavers would love a repeat following four straight defeats.
For Wharfedale, a lengthy injury list has not helped their cause, but Simon Verbickas’ side will be looking to rediscover some accuracy and sharpness when they welcome Tynedale (6th) to The Avenue.
Tyne entered the rest weekend on a high after chalking up four successive wins, and Peter Southern’s men are beginning to look like the team that reached the play-offs last season.
Elsewhere, two of the promoted sides meet at The Apollo Capital Stadium as Harrogate (7th) entertain Huddersfield (10th), while the third newcomer, Heath (9th), visit Fylde (11th).
Heath head coach Chris Johnson, who played for Fylde during their time in National One and has also represented and captained Lancashire, returns to his old stomping ground of Woodlands with a side that has been highly competitive in its debut season at this level.
The fact that Heath were disappointed to come away empty-handed against leaders Sedgley Park last time out speaks volumes about their progress. Fylde, meanwhile, have been hampered by injuries and could do with a timely boost after three straight defeats has left them hovering above the relegation places.
National Two East
As the second block of the season begins, Oundle’s (1st) quest to improve on last season’s silver-medal finish remains firmly on track.
Aly Kachra and Gareth Collins’ side are one of four teams yet to drop a point across National League Rugby. While their performances have not always been polished, the league leaders have still managed seven successive bonus-point victories.
Round Seven’s 45-0 victory at London Welsh might sound like a straightforward win, but Oundle were made to work hard before running in six unanswered second-half tries at Old Deer Park.
The table-toppers, who hold a four-point cushion at the summit, are first up in Round Eight as they welcome Guernsey Raiders (3rd) to Occupation Road for a 1pm kick-off.
Judging by Guernsey boss Jordan Reynolds’ post-match comments following Round Seven’s 29-24 defeat to Esher, he was far from impressed.
The Raiders’ Director of Rugby was scathing about his side’s performance, describing their tally of 15 penalties as ‘ridiculous’ and admitting that the defeat hurt more than most he had experienced during his tenure at Footes Lane.
Adding to the frustration, it was a second successive defeat against teams around them in the table. Reynolds will be determined to ensure these setbacks do not derail their campaign, particularly with Guernsey sitting just three points behind second-placed Esher (2nd) after winning five of their opening seven games.
As for Esher, that aforementioned victory at Guernsey a fortnight ago will have felt significant for Mike Brown and Liam Slatem’s side.
Six straight wins have lifted them into the top two, and the EEEs will be looking to maintain that momentum when they take on Jersey (13th) at Molesey Road.
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Jersey’s run of fixtures against top-five sides continues before they visit Oundle in Round Nine, but they will be eager to respond after a scoreless second half against an in-form Dorking (5th) contributed to a 34-12 defeat last time out.
Speaking of Dorking, Armand Roux’s side have now won five straight games and sit just six points off the play-off place ahead of their Round Eight clash with Henley (8th).
As for the Hawks, Luke Allen’s charges enter the second block in good spirits, with the Henley boss ‘buzzing’ after their 46-27 win over fourth-placed Old Albanian in Round Seven.
Henley stepped up to deliver one of their best displays of the season, but will not want to rest on their laurels against another side challenging towards the right end of the table.
From an Old Albanian (4th) perspective, their display at Dry Leas left them with plenty to ponder, but five wins from seven still provides James Osborn and Dan George’s side with a positive foundation for the month ahead.
They will be eager to bounce back after two defeats in their last three games when they entertain Colchester (7th), who, despite ending the opening block on the wrong end of a 42-38 thriller against Leicester Lions, will be pleased with their performances on their return to National Two East.
Three wins and 21 points represent a solid return for Mike Haywood’s side, but a run of fixtures against four of the current top five between now and the end of November will be a stern test.
At the other end of the table, injuries hampered Westcombe Park’s (14th) opening block of the 2026/27 campaign, but indiscipline proved costly in their 58-42 defeat to Havant in Round Seven.
Dom Saunders’ side had led 28-12 at one stage before seeing their advantage slip away. Combe will have spent the past fortnight regrouping ahead of their Kent derby away at Canterbury (6th).
Like Westcombe Park, London Welsh (12th) have not been short of casualties in the physio room, but there were still positives for George Trimmer’s side to take despite the 45-0 scoreline against Oundle last time out.
However, with just one win from their opening seven games, the Exiles know the importance of the next block, starting with a trip to Havant (10th).
Elsewhere in Round Eight, Leicester Lions (11th) will be aiming to build on their excellent victory over Colchester when they visit Barnes (9th). The hosts also ended the opening block on a high after back-to-back wins over Havant and Canterbury.
National Two West
National Two West returns with a blockbuster fixture at the summit, as Redruth (1st) and Hinckley (2nd) meet at The Recreation Ground in arguably the standout match across National League Rugby in Round Eight.
The Reds may not have welcomed last weekend’s break, having won all seven of their opening matches to establish a four-point lead at the summit. Richie Kevern’s side have passed every test so far, but they know sterner challenges lie ahead.
All of their fixtures between now and the midway point of the season come against sides in the top half, starting with Hinckley.
Alex White’s men will have spent the past fortnight plotting the downfall of the league leaders, and they arrive armed with the best defensive record in the division, as well as the third-best across National League Rugby as a whole.
Like Redruth, Hinckley boast a formidable forward pack and plenty of talent in the backs, making them a dangerous proposition. They also know that a seventh successive bonus-point win could take them to the top of the table heading into November. Plenty is at stake in Cornwall.
Third-placed Luctonians (3rd) are level on points with Hinckley after producing the ideal response to their Round Six defeat to Loughborough Students.
Rob Lewis and George Thomas’ side were relentless in their 73-5 win over Bournville last time out and, despite missing some senior players during the opening block of the campaign, Lucs are firmly in the mix once again.
Next up, they travel to winless Devonport Services (13th), who will have faced every one of the current top eight by the end of this weekend’s fixtures.
Ben Russell’s side have certainly not had it easy so far, but they will understand the importance of this next block if the ‘Sporting Blues’ are to begin climbing away from the drop zone.
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In Round Seven, Devonport Services suffered a 75-12 defeat against fourth-placed Clifton (4th), who, like Luctonians, are level on points with Hinckley heading into the weekend.
The Lavender and Blacks will now be targeting a seventh win from their opening eight matches when they visit Barnstaple (11th), who are still waiting for their season to catch fire.
Fifth-placed Taunton (5th) will be well aware of their challenge ahead, with four fixtures against fellow top-half sides to come.
Based on the current standings, the Titans have lost their previous two meetings with teams in that bracket, against Redruth and, most recently, Hinckley. Tony Yapp’s side will be keen to improve on that record when they host Cinderford (7th) on Saturday.
Cinderford also face a challenging second block of the campaign, but they have quietly put together four wins from their last five games ahead of their trip to Somerset.
Old Redcliffians (6th) have also stitched together a sequence of positive results, with Dan Cox’s side now targeting a fourth successive win when they visit bottom side Exeter University (14th).
The students are still searching for their first victory of the season and, at this early stage of the campaign, already sit 10 points adrift of 11th place, the final safety position.
Elsewhere, Lymm (8th) return to Crouchley Lane looking to bounce back from their defeat to Redruth when they host Hornets (9th), who entered the break following a breathless 51-45 win over Loughborough Students.
Meanwhile, a Midlands derby takes place at Avery Fields, with the aforementioned Loughborough Students (10th) making the trip to Bournville (12th).
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