National Two Accession Finals: One last push for Rossendale, Henley and Exeter University
After finishing 12th in their respective divisions, Rossendale, Henley Hawks and Exeter University must win their National Two Accession finals against Harrogate, Tunbridge Wells and Stourbridge to stay in the fourth tier. (Photo Credit: Holly Hallett)
National 2 Accession Finals
Rossendale v Harrogate – Saturday 9th May – 3pm
Henley Hawks v Tunbridge Wells – Saturday 9th May – 3pm
Exeter University v Stourbridge – Saturday 9th May – 3pm
Winners will play in National Two next season.
Preview
Rossendale v Harrogate
Despite a thumping 12-try, 82-24 victory over Hull on the final day of the season, Rossendale were unable to climb out of the relegation play-off spot in National Two North.
‘The Stags’ won four of their final seven matches in a bid to retain their status, but they narrowly fell two points short. However, they will look to carry that improved form into Saturday’s clash as Harrogate make the trip to Lancashire.
Harrogate, relegated from National Two North last season, are targeting an immediate return.
After finishing third in Regional 1 North East, the Yorkshire side produced an impressive 45-35 win away at Alnwick – who had finished nine points above them – before repeating the feat against Regional 1 North West runners-up Anselmians last weekend.
Anselmians had won every home game during the regular season and were contenders for automatic promotion following a fierce Regional 1 North West title race with Huddersfield, but a stunning fightback from 24 points down in the final 10 minutes saw Harrogate clinch a 41-40 win and their spot in the National Two Accession Finals.
Henley v Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells join Harrogate in the National Two Accession Finals after also winning both of their Regional 1 promotion play-off ties away from home.
The Regional 1 South Central outfit, who also finished third, overcame London Scottish Lions 40-33 despite losing to them twice during the regular season. They then defeated Regional 1 South East runners-up Letchworth Garden City 43-32 last Saturday.
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Now just one game away from history, Tunbridge Wells face a rejuvenated Henley Hawks.
Luke Allen’s side have won six of their last eight matches and came close to moving clear of relegation trouble altogether, but National Two East rivals Esher and London Welsh did just enough to fend off the Hawks.
For the past two decades, Henley have consistently competed at either Level 3 or Level 4, and they will be determined to maintain their status this weekend.
Exeter University v Stourbridge
Finally, Exeter University will look to retain their National Two place as they host Stourbridge.
Back-to-back wins – away at Hornets and at home to Taunton in National Two West – saw Gareth Elliott’s side avoid automatic relegation at the expense of Loughborough Students. However, one final hurdle remains.
Exeter have competed at this level since 2022/23, while Stourbridge are no strangers to the fourth tier, having last played in National Two that same season.
Since then, Stour have twice finished as runners-up in Regional 1 Midlands, behind Oxford Harlequins and Syston, while this season they finished third.
A 36-26 win at second-placed Newport (Salop) in Round One of the Regional 1 play-offs set up a clash with South West runners-up Topsham, with Stourbridge securing a 24-12 victory in Devon.
Now, the Midlands club head back to the South-West aiming to return to National Two.
Exeter University did win both meetings between the sides three seasons ago, but will history repeat itself on Saturday?
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