January 25, 2026

Round 17 Review: Leaders prove their worth and a flurry of morale-boosting victories

The latest round of National League Rugby action was defined by leading contenders laying down markers, and teams in the bottom half receiving a timely lift. (Photo Credit: Plymouth Albion)

National One

Plymouth Albion (1st) extended their winning run to eight matches in impressive fashion with a 41-10 victory over Rosslyn Park (5th) in tough conditions at Brickfields.

Fly-half Iwan Jenkins scored a converted try and slotted two penalties as Albion opened up a 13-3 lead, before second-half tries from Lucas Gulley (2) and Harry Legg put the contest beyond doubt.

A penalty try further rubber-stamped Plymouth’s success, while Luke Mehson’s effort was merely a consolation for Park, who were shown three yellow cards over the course of the afternoon.

Rotherham Titans (2nd) stay four points behind leaders Plymouth – with a game in hand – after scoring 11 tries in a thumping 73-24 win over bottom side Leicester Lions (14th).

The contest opened up after half-time as the Titans built on a 26-19 advantage at Clifton Lane.

From 50 minutes on, Rotherham were relentless, scoring seven tries, which included winger Jackson Barling completing his hat-trick.

To their credit, Leicester battled to secure a try bonus thanks to James Stubbs’ late effort.

Blackheath (3rd) and Sale FC (4th) also enjoyed convincing victories. ‘Club’ ran in seven tries in a 43-7 win over Dings Crusaders (12th) at The Utilita, with Jake Hennessey and Billy Harding both grabbing doubles.

As for Sale, they were even more ruthless, piling on nine unanswered tries in a 57-0 victory over Clifton (10th) in the North-West.

Those defeats for the two aforementioned Bristol clubs leaves them embroiled in an intensifying relegation fight, which also includes Sedgley Park (9th) and Bishop’s Stortford (8th), who met at Park Lane in Round 17.

And it was Sedge who emerged with a morale-boosting 30-14 victory, as tries from Rhys Henderson and Lewis Bradley in the final seven minutes lifted them out of the relegation places.

Just four points now separate eighth-placed Stortford and Dings, who slipped into the bottom three, with Birmingham Moseley (11th) and Leeds Tykes (13th) on either side of the dotted line.

Moseley fought back to earn a 27-27 draw against Tonbridge Juddians (7th), with full-back Freddie Painter capping an impressive individual performance by scoring the decisive, converted try six minutes from time.

Leeds Tykes, meanwhile, collected a try bonus in a 34-24 defeat at Rams (6th) thanks to Connor Walker’s late score, although the hosts were inspired by winger Axel Kalling-Smith, who claimed a hat-trick at Old Bath Road.

National Two North

Macclesfield (2nd) displayed their top-two credentials as they clinched a dramatic 27-26 victory over Fylde (6th), thanks to Harry Oliver’s 78th-minute penalty.

Matt Coleridge and Rhys Davies’ side made it eight wins on the bounce to remain four points behind table-toppers Sheffield – albeit having played a game more – but this was undeniably a hard-fought success in Lancashire.

Following a breathless first half, the lead changed hands three times in the final quarter as Mason Winterburn’s try edged Macc in front, only for Fylde wing Leo Gilliland to cross after Will Hunt’s pinpoint kick.

However, Macclesfield delivered the final twist, punishing a second yellow card shown to Fylde’s David Fairbrother, with Oliver slotting the decisive three points to maintain the Blues’ excellent winning run.

Five second-half tries ensured Sheffield (1st) maintained their perfect record as they pulled clear of Preston Grasshoppers (11th) to secure a 54-17 victory.

Not for the first time this season, the league leaders took control after the break – punishing two Preston yellow-cards – as tries from Llew Smith, Zak Poole, Christian Hooper, Rhodri Campbell and Will Smith built on a 19-12 half-time advantage. Sheffield have now won all 15 of their matches.

Third-placed Tynedale continued their purple patch of form, making it five wins in a row with a 50-17 away victory at Rossendale (13th).

However, Rossendale were still very much in this contest at 19-17 heading into the final quarter before Tynedale rattled off five tries to stun their hosts.

As for the relegation picture, Scunthorpe (14th) remain bottom after a 47-26 defeat at Hull Ionians (5th).

The I’s crossed four times in the second half, with No.8 Adam Brankley completing his hat-trick while winger Cameron Burnhill grabbed a brace.

Scunthorpe – who have two games in hand – remain eight points adrift of Hull (12th), who were beaten 35-24 at Billingham (9th).

Peter Evans and Dan Finney’s side entered the contest without a win in four, but second-half tries from Eldon Myers, Ewan Brown and Tom Campbell helped Billingham open up a 35-10 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

Late scores from Jamie Shaul and Jack Render secured a try bonus for Hull, but this was a very welcome victory for Billingham.

There was also a much-needed win for Otley (10th), who began a run of three successive home fixtures with a 33-28 victory over Darlington Mowden Park (4th).

Having lost five on the bounce coming into this game, the Beavers were rewarded for their persistence as a late Fynlay Hobson try sealed the result after a hard-fought contest at Cross Green.

Finally, Sheffield Tigers (8th) enjoyed more home comforts as they once again nilled their opposition, this time beating Wharfedale (7th) 29-0.

Stephen Roberts’ side kept a clean sheet against Hull just before Christmas and repeated the feat in Round 17, with tries from Tom Gladwin (2), Will Baker, Silas Talbot and Jamie Rudd.

National Two East

Oundle (2nd) were forced to dig deep to extend their unbeaten run to nine matches as they eventually outmuscled Barnes (6th) 21-15 away from home.

Despite Ben Young opening the scoring, tries from Jacques Birch and Adam Musa gave Barnes a 12-7 half-time lead.

Grant Snelling’s finish at the back of Oundle’s powerful driving maul swung the contest in the visitors’ favour before National Two East’s leading try scorer crossed for his 19th of the season to seal victory three minutes from time.

Will Nicholson’s late penalty earned Barnes a deserved losing bonus point, but Oundle were able to maintain their impressive run of form.

League leaders Old Albanian (1st) were also made to work for their 26-17 win away at second-from-bottom Henley (13th).

The contest remained finely balanced throughout, but Albert Horne’s bonus-point try with 12 minutes left proved decisive as OAs opened up a three-point gap at the summit.

Third-placed Bury St Edmunds enjoyed a slightly more comfortable afternoon, scoring five first-half tries to lay the foundations for a 49-24 victory over Sevenoaks (12th).

Clark MacFarlane and Andrew Denham both crossed twice, with the latter going on to complete a hat-trick, while Sevenoaks did manage to add to their survival bid as Alex Rolfe’s late try secured a bonus point.

Fourth-placed Canterbury recorded their eighth successive win by overwhelming table rivals Dorking (5th) 40-7.

The City Men, who face all of the current top three in February, were 28-0 ahead at the break, with scrum-half Tom Williams marking his 100th appearance with a brace.

Second-half tries from Aiden Moss and Presley Farrance completed a dominant display.

In the bottom half, Guernsey Raiders (10th) claimed a welcome 26-3 victory over Oxford Harlequins.

Tries from Tom Ceillam, Anthony Armstrong, Michael Cantle and Matthew Creber sealed their first win since mid-October, while the uphill battle continues for relegation-threatened Oxford Quins.

Elsewhere, Havant (9th) extended their fine run by making it four wins on the bounce following a 39-27 comeback victory over Westcombe Park (7th).

Trailing 27-22 in the final quarter, a penalty try on 66 minutes sparked the turnaround.

This was followed up by three points from the boot of Joel Knight on his 300th appearance, along with a try from Jack Colbourne, which sealed another bonus-point success.

Finally, London Welsh (8th) secured back-to-back victories after edging out Esher (11th) 31-29 in an absorbing encounter at Old Deer Park.

Esher led 19-12 at the break, but tries from London Welsh trio Garin Lloyd, Hywel Williams and Dylan Jones – two of which were converted by Matt Hodgson – proved just enough to outweigh unconverted efforts from James Botterill and Emmett Murphy.

National Two West

Syston (14th) kept their survival hopes alive with a 22-15 victory over Loughborough Students (13th) in National Two West’s basement battle.

Tries from Loughborough’s Rhys Hulse and Matt Sell cancelled out Archie Coldicott’s early score, but even with centre Theo Mussell in the sin bin, Syston levelled matters through Angus Wilbourn.

A brace from skipper Luke Stewart either side of the hour ultimately sealed Syston’s third win of the campaign, while Ben Webb’s late penalty earned Loughborough a losing bonus point.

The result leaves Syston 14 points adrift of 12th-placed Exeter University, who claimed a 42-12 victory over Chester (9th).

Following a strong home performance a fortnight ago against Cinderford, Gareth Elliott’s side were on song again, leading 25-5 on the hour before converting that scoreline into their sixth win of the term.

Old Redcliffians (11th) backed up their Round 16 success at Chester with a key 31-24 win over Redruth (10th) at Scotland Lane.

Player of the Match Haydn Barnes crossed twice for the hosts, who, following two yellow cards, played the final 13 minutes with 13 men. 

With Loughborough losing and Exeter winning, this result could prove crucial for Dan Cox’s troops in the context of their season.

At the top of the table, a solid first-half display from leaders Camborne (1st) secured a seventh successive victory as they claimed a 34-24 win away at Lymm (8th).

Tries from Kyle Moyle, Ben Priddey – who went on to complete a hat-trick – and Alex Ducker gave ‘Town’ a commanding half-time advantage before Jordan Nicholls touched down to register the bonus point. 

Lymm responded with a late rally to claim a try bonus of their own, but the visitors had already done enough to seal the victory.

Camborne’s advantage at the summit now stands at eight points, but that slightly increased gap would not have poured cold water on Luctonians’ (2nd) spirits following a hard-fought 14-12 victory at Hornets (7th). 

Rob Lewis and George Thomas’ side became the first team to win at The Nest this season, with tries from centres James Wheeler and Francis Kelly ending Hornets’ eight-match winning run at home.

Hinckley (4th) moved up to fourth and are now just four points behind third-placed Barnstaple after a 41-31 victory at Leicester Road.

With the scores locked at 19-19 at the break, tries from George Patten, Matt Guilfoyle, Henry Higginson and Ben Pointon swung the contest in Hinckley’s favour as they recorded a fifth successive home win.

And finally, a late penalty from Tom Putt saw Taunton (5th) mark club legend Ratu Vakalutukali’s 200th appearance with a 16-14 victory over Cinderford (6th).

Scott Gibson’s try on 70 minutes brought the Titans back into contention before the division’s leading points scorer kept his composure to guide Taunton to a fifth consecutive home success.

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