The i’s have been dotted and the t’s crossed on this National League Rugby season, but not without some final day drama, especially in National Two North. (Photo Credit: John Ashton)

National One

For the second season running, Leicester Lions (12th) survived relegation on the final day of the season as they scored six tries to beat Bishop’s Stortford (9th) 38-29.

Gareth Collins’ men needed just two points at Westleigh Park to confirm their safety, and they were 14-12 ahead on the half-hour after Jamel Hamilton and Joe Brock tries were responded to by Declan Murphy and Chris Smith.

But scores either side of the break from Luke Bouchier and Hamilton gave the Lions some breathing space before Oliver Taylor made it 31-12 to the hosts.

Stortford hit back with two quick-fire tries from Tristan Smith and Alex Rayment just to increase the tension in the East Midlands, but after some staunch defence, the job was done for Leicester when Charlie Bemand darted over seven minutes from time.

Reece Lane did add another score to Stortford’s tally, but the afternoon was all about the home side and their resurgence to safety. Four wins from their last six games and 25 points from their last eight matches saw Leicester Lions complete their escape at the expense of Esher (13th), who suffered an immediate relegation to National Two despite their best efforts on the final day.

Peter Winterbottom’s troops knew they had to beat Sedgley Park (11th) to stand any chance of survival, and they immediately meant business in Surrey. The EEEs led 24-0 at the interval before capitalising on Sedge’s indiscipline to record an eight-try 55-14 victory but in the end, it was too little, too late for Esher.

Eight straight defeats leading into Round 26 – combined with a whole heap of injuries – damaged their survival bid and for the second time in four seasons, they have gone up to National One only to go straight back down.

Round 26 Results: Darlington Mowden Park (14th) 24-54 Rams (5th), Dings Crusaders (10th) 26-47 Birmingham Moseley (7th), Esher (13th) 55-14 Sedgley Park (11th), Leicester Lions (12th) 38-29 Bishop’s Stortford (9th), Richmond (1st) 40-26 Blackheath (6th), Rosslyn Park (2nd) 56-26 Rotherham Titans (3rd), Sale FC (8th) 26-46 Plymouth Albion (4th).

National Two North

Harrogate (14th) have been relegated to the Regional Leagues despite defeating table rivals Billingham (13th) 48-35 in a dramatic final day in National Two North.

At the beginning of the afternoon, four teams were battling for survival, and two of those sides met at the Apollo Capital Stadium. Harrogate knew a win would give them a chance of staying in the fourth tier while Billingham just needed a single point from their trip to North Yorkshire.

And the visitors completed their mission inside just 26 minutes as Dan Dixon, Peter Evans, Joe Ross and Jamie Lane all screeched over to secure the try bonus-point – and their survival for another year – while Harrogate responded before half-time to reduce the deficit to 28-21.

Finlay Green, Steve Maycock and Kristan Dobson all went over in the opening period, and Harrogate were soon level when back-row Martin Dodds dotted down just after the interval.

But three yellow cards in six minutes for Billingham allowed Harrogate to move ahead as Dobson and Maycock went over again for a 38-28 lead. William Hill and Dixon traded tries in the final 10 minutes as The Aces stayed in front, before the hosts sealed all five points when Dobson knocked over a penalty.

So Harrogate did all they could to stay in National Two North, but at one stage, they were actually safe as table rivals Hull (11th) dropped into the relegation zone after finding themselves 45-34 down against Otley (10th) with 13 minutes remaining.

Mike Umaga’s side entered the weekend knowing two points from their visit to Otley would seal their safety, and with one point already in the bag following four first-half tries, it was time to dig deep again, especially with Harrogate winning just up the road.

And not for the first time this month, Hull’s character shone through as Billy Addy touched down to make it 45-41 (a result that would’ve kept Hull safe) but the away side wanted to confirm their place in National Two North in style, and Tom Bairstow’s try one minute from time helped Hull snatch a 48-45 victory.

The only way Harrogate would have avoided the drop is if Preston Grasshoppers (12th) stumbled away at Chester (9th), and Dan Orwin’s troops got off to the worst possible start as centre Jacob Browne was sent off after just 13 minutes for taking a man out in the air.

 

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However, the grit and determination Hoppers recently showcased in defeats against Hull Ionians (7th) and Lymm (3rd) came to the fore once again as tries from Ed Keohane, Alfie Longstaff and Danny Maher (2) put Preston 26-14 up at the break.

And the Lancashire outfit completed their job in the second half as further scores from Longstaff and Maher – as well as a penalty from Josh Ree – clinched a 41-21 victory and confirmed Preston’s safety at ‘Level 4’.

Round 26 Results: Chester (9th) 21-41 Preston Grasshoppers (12th), Fylde (4th) 21-33 Sheffield (2nd), Harrogate (14th) 48-35 Billingham (13th), Lymm (3rd) 72-28 Hull Ionians (7th), Otley (10th) 45-48 Hull (11th), Sheffield Tigers (8th) 36-15 Wharfedale (6th), Tynedale (5th) 21-12 Leeds Tykes (1st).

National Two East

With promotion and relegation all sorted going into the final day, narratives were created elsewhere in National Two East, in particular at The Big Field where Dorking (2nd) secured second place with a 41-19 victory over newly-crowned champions Tonbridge Juddians.

Dorking flanker Harry Elbrow was sent off after just 17 minutes, but the game was level at 7-7 at the break before the home side put their foot on the gas despite their numerical disadvantage.

Five tries in a 17-minute flurry from Finn Osborne (2), Toby McRae, Tom Bloomer and Tom Howe saw Dorking claim the silver medal spot, while despite this defeat, Tonbridge Juddians were still able to celebrate lifting the title in Surrey.

Elsewhere, Guernsey Raiders (7th) winger Anthony Armstrong scored a remarkable six tries as Jordan Reynolds’ troops thrashed relegated Worthing 71-26 away from home while Canterbury (4th) hooker Eoin O’Donoghue scored four in their final day 50-33 triumph at Colchester (13th).

Round 26 Results: Bury St Edmunds (9th) 38-50 Westcombe Park (5th), Colchester (13th) 33-50 Canterbury (4th), Dorking (2nd) 41-19 Tonbridge Juddians (1st), Henley (8th) 45-26 Old Albanian (6th), Oxford Harlequins (12th) 29-47 Barnes (3rd), Sevenoaks (10th) 33-26 Havant (11th), Worthing (14th) 26-71 Guernsey Raiders (7th).

National Two West

Clifton (1st) clinched the National Two West title following a hard-fought 48-22 win over Exeter University (12th).

The Lavendar and Blacks knew that victory on the final day would see them seal promotion to the third tier for the first time in 28 years, but they did find themselves behind early on as Freddie Hirst’s converted effort cancelled out Zak Hamid’s well-taken score.

But, the league leaders – who had won 19 of their last 20 games heading into Round 26 – began to flex their muscles as Tom Anderson and Jake Holcombe dotted down for a 19-10 lead at the break.

Niall Gibbons and Josh Cunningham traded scores before an Ollie Millner penalty kept Clifton in control of proceedings at a vibrant Station Road.

 

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And it was in the last quarter where Clifton pressed home their advantage and wrapped up the title as Will Owen, Mitch Spencer and Hamid all crossed while Archie Rolls’ late effort for Exeter University was merely a consolation.

So it was party time in Bristol and an emotional Clifton vice-president Wyn Tingley said: “We’re league champions. We’ve won! National One rugby, here we come. Celebrations are really just starting behind me. It is amazing. Well done everybody…”

After losing to Hinckley in Round Five, Clifton collected 101 points from a possible 105. Just four points dropped since the start of October is staggering consistency, but perhaps one of the reasons for their high standards may also be attributed to Camborne (2nd), who fell just short in this gripping title race.

Successive away defeats to Luctonians (5th) and Clifton over the last month proved to be the undoing of Steve Larkins’ side, who knew they had to win away at Macclesfield (11th) on the final day to stand any chance of swooping in and claiming the league crown.

However, the Cherry and Whites fell to a 40-27 loss in Cheshire with the home side bringing the curtain down on a very impressive campaign in National Two West.

Round 26 Results: Cinderford (7th) 25-34 Old Redcliffians (10th), Clifton (1st) 48-22 Exeter University (12th), Devonport Services (14th) 29-47 Bournville (13th), Luctonians (5th) 24-12 Hinckley (9th), Macclesfield (11th) 40-27 Camborne (1st), Redruth (8th) 36-26 Hornets (6th), Taunton (3rd) 38-35 Loughborough Students (4th).

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