February 9, 2026

Roth go top as Hull I’s halt Macclesfield; Key wins for Leeds Tykes and Redruth

There may have been only seven games on this ‘rest weekend’, but there were plenty of key matches and important outcomes. (Photo Credit: Gareth Siddons)

National One

Rotherham Titans (1st) lifted themselves to the summit of National One with a comprehensive 54-0 victory over second-from-bottom Clifton (13th).

Knowing that a bonus-point win from their game in hand would move them one point clear of title rivals Plymouth Albion, the Titans wasted no time, with James Norman crossing inside three minutes.

Isaac Shaw, Zach Toerien and Will Metcalfe followed suit to secure a first-half bonus point, before four more tries after the break capped a perfect afternoon for Harvey Biljon’s side.

Among them was a record-breaking score for Callum Bustin, who became the club’s all-time leading try scorer.

Next up for Rotherham is a home clash with 12th-placed Dings Crusaders, while Plymouth host seventh-placed Tonbridge Juddians.

In terms of Clifton, the result leaves them in the relegation zone, but there was better news for table rivals Leeds Tykes (11th), who climbed out of the bottom three with an impressive 46-17 win away at Sedgley Park (9th) on Friday night.

After defeating Clifton in Round 18, Leeds backed it up by handling the testing weather conditions superbly.

Jonathan Teague and Kieran Davies crossed early, but Sedge responded through Lewis Bradley and Danny Rylance to narrow the deficit to 20-17 at the break. Charlie Venables also scored in the opening period for the visitors.

Venables went over again in the second half for one of four unanswered tries, with Leeds powering clear to secure a vital victory.

Pete Seabourne and Pete Lucock’s side now occupy the National One relegation / National Two promotion play-off position, while just six points separate Clifton in 13th and Sedgley Park in ninth.

The clash between Birmingham Moseley (10th) and Rosslyn Park (5th) was postponed.

National Two North

Second-placed Macclesfield saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end as they were beaten 38-7 away at Hull Ionians (4th).

With Sheffield’s meeting against Scunthorpe postponed, Macclesfield had the opportunity to move top and made a bright start through Harry Blackwell’s eighth-minute try.

However, that proved to be the high point for the visitors as Hull Ionians surged clear.

George Mewburn, Cameron Burnhill and Sam Pocklington crossed before half-time, with Jamal Khalil, James Watts and Joe Makin adding further scores after the break.

After back-to-back victories over Tynedale (3rd) and Macclesfield, Ionians now sit just 10 points off the play-off place.

Tynedale (3rd) closed the gap on Macclesfield to four points with a hard-fought 23-15 win away at Otley (10th).

Tries from Will Roberts and Charlie Turnbull, alongside 10 points from the boot of Josh Leslie, gave Tynedale an 18-8 half-time lead.

Anthony McCormack’s try early in the second half reduced the deficit, but Dan Baines’ score on 63 minutes proved decisive as Tynedale claimed their sixth win in seven games.

Darlington Mowden Park (5th) returned to winning ways with a 24-17 victory over Wharfedale (7th) on Friday night.

In testing conditions, first-half tries from Archie Callaghan, Liam Checksfield and Ben Douglas opened up a 21-7 advantage.

Jack Greig and Flynn Ward exchanged penalties before Jack Pinder crossed for Dale, but DMP saw out a welcome win.

Billingham (8th) made it three consecutive victories as Luke Wilson’s late penalty sealed a 27-24 triumph over Fylde (6th) at Greenwood Road.

Billingham led 12-7 after tries from Joe Scarborough and Jamie Lane, but Fylde responded with scores from Rob Williamson, Greg Morgan and David Fairbrother.

But the hosts dominated the scoreboard in the final quarter as converted tries from Player of the Match Scarborough and Anthony Jackson set the stage for Wilson’s nerveless match-winning kick.

National Two West

Redruth (8th) secured a timely and important victory with a 30-14 win over Exeter University (12th) at The Recreation Ground.

With just seven points separating the sides before kick-off, defeat could have dragged Redruth into possible relegation trouble, but a dominant second-half display ensured that wouldn’t be the case.

Leading 8-7 at the interval, tries from Player of the Match Jess Tompsett, Luke Johnson and Jarrod Hambly put the result beyond doubt. Fly-half Joe Cummins added two conversions and a penalty.

Josh MacAndrew scored a consolation try for Exeter, who remain two points above the bottom two after this latest away day setback.

The fixture between Hinckley (3rd) and Taunton (7th) was postponed.

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