Round 20 Review: Battling clubs demonstrate fight, promotion hopes strengthened and Oundle show their class
A thrilling Round 20 produced some superb action across the board, with one or two seismic results setting us up for a fascinating run-in. (Photo Credit: Gareth Lyons)
National One
Round 20 saw six of the bottom seven sides go head-to-head, with key victories for Bishop’s Stortford (8th), Leeds Tykes (9th) and Dings Crusaders (12th).
Stortford fought back from 19-8 down in the second half to beat second-from-bottom Clifton (13th) 34-19.
Isaac Bell, Chris Bolton, Harry Clarke and Jack Biard all went over for the hosts, who are now nine points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.
That fixture, coincidentally, comes against Leeds, who are now three points clear of the trapdoor after a nail-biting 33-29 victory away at bottom club Leicester Lions (14th).
The Tykes had led 26-21 with 13 minutes to go, but Liam Burrows’ hat-trick try and Luke Bouchier penalty put the Lions three points in front.
With Ed Brown also in the bin, Leeds needed to dig deep – and they did – as Sebi Krippner’s late try clinched a third successive win.
Defeat for Leicester Lions leaves them 20 points adrift of the ‘relegation play-off spot’ with six games remaining.
Dings Crusaders are now just one point off the ‘relegation play-off spot’ – and also only one point shy of safety – after grinding out a 19-0 victory over table rivals Sedgley Park (10th).
Tomas Gwilliam’s try just before the interval broke the deadlock before second-half scores from Alpha Ly and Player of the Match George Taylor.
Dings remain in the final relegation place but are right on the shoulder of Birmingham Moseley (11th) after their narrow 27-20 loss to promotion-chasing Plymouth Albion (2nd).
Mose – who have a game in hand – kept Albion honest throughout and secured a losing bonus point thanks to Tom Taylor’s late penalty.
For Plymouth, tries from Ben Moa (2), Oscar Stewart and Exeter Chiefs starlet Noah Fenton sealed an 11th straight win and kept them one point behind leaders Rotherham Titans (1st).
Roth were also made to work hard for their 41-21 success away at Tonbridge Juddians (7th).
Like in the reverse fixture at Clifton Lane, the Titans had to come from behind – this time from 21-19 down at the break – but unanswered tries from JB Bruzulier, Isaac Shaw and Morgan Veness guided the table-toppers to victory.
Blackheath (3rd) – whose next opponents are actually Plymouth Albion – maintained their top-three spot with a 21-5 win over Rams (6th).
Billy Harding added two more tries to his tally – taking him to 37 for the season – while Noah Sloot dotted down in the second half.
A red card for Oskar Hirskyji-Douglas and a yellow for Jake Hennessey meant ‘Club’ played much of the final quarter with 14 men, but they still restricted Rams.
Last but certainly not least, Rosslyn Park (5th) clinched a dramatic 36-34 win over Sale FC (4th).
Sale had battled back from 21-5 down after 15 minutes to lead 29-21 before Joe Luca Smith and Alfie Longstaff traded tries.
The visitors held an eight-point advantage, but a try on 62 minutes from Ed Volley cut the deficit.
With the clock ticking towards the red, Bill Johnston landed a penalty to nudge Park ahead. Sale then had the chance to snatch victory with the final kick of the game, but Mark Dixon’s penalty attempt drifted off target.
National Two North
Scunthorpe (12th) scored five tries to climb out of the bottom two, leapfrogging Hull (13th) with a 41-32 win at Heslam Park.
After their stunning fightback against Fylde in Round 19, Tony Wilkinson’s side backed it up with another crucial victory. ‘The Greens’ are now one point above the drop zone, with three games in hand on Hull.
Joe Mowbray, Will Robinson and Harry Wright crossed in the first period for a 24-18 lead, with David Halaifonua, Jamie Shaul and the boot of Reece Dean keeping Hull in touch.
A Will Dark penalty and a penalty try moved Scunthorpe clear before Laurence Pearce’s score completed the double over Hull.
To Hull’s credit, Jack Render’s brace in the final three minutes secured a try bonus point that could prove vital.
There was also a significant win for Otley (10th), who defeated bottom club Rossendale (14th) 32-26 to ease any relegation worries.
Tries from Will Beanland, George Lunn and Corey McCormack helped Otley into a 25-12 lead, but a score from Rossendale full-back George Stephens reduced the arrears after half-time.
However, Sam Hodge struck just after the hour to ultimately seal it, while Rossendale collected two bonus points thanks to Seb Pemberton’s late score and Finlay Rogers’ conversion.
The result moves Otley 13 points clear of the bottom two, with Rossendale six points behind Scunthorpe having played two games more.
At the summit, with the top-of-the-table clash between Sheffield (1st) and Macclesfield (3rd) postponed, Tynedale (2nd) moved into second following a commanding 34-26 win over Fylde (6th).
The North-East outfit punished an early yellow card to lead 19-0 before winger Will Roberts completed his hat-trick in the second half.
Tynedale now sit one point above Macclesfield – who, of course, have a game in hand – but they do welcome Macc to Tynedale Park in Round 22.
Fourth-placed Hull Ionians remain in the conversation for a top-two finish as Maliq Holden’s hat-trick guided them to a 31-19 victory at Darlington Mowden Park (5th).
A flying first half laid the platform for another away day success, leaving the I’s nine points behind Tynedale.
Wharfedale (7th) made it five straight wins at The Avenue as converted tries from Jack Pinder and Robbie Collinson, plus a Jack Greig penalty, helped secure a 34-19 victory over Preston Grasshoppers (11th).
This contest was finely balanced, but Preston eventually saw their hosts pull away as their difficult run continued.
And Sheffield Tigers (8th) sealed a fourth straight win – and a sixth successive home triumph – with a comprehensive 46-7 victory over Billingham (9th).
National Two East
Oundle (2nd) moved to within one point of leaders Old Albanian (1st) after a crushing 45-14 win over their title rivals.
This was a destructive and statement performance from the hosts, who are now unbeaten in 12 matches.
Oundle scored seven tries and led 21-14 at the break, with Grant Snelling and Anthony Maka powering over either side of Lewis Finlay’s touchdown.
OAs replied through Josh Skelcey and Archie Radovanovic, but Oundle’s dominance up front and some strong defence drove them on.
Tries from Harry Morley, Player of the Match Jac Arthur and Harry Nicholls – plus a penalty try – capped a superb afternoon for Oundle and blew the title race wide open.
Bury St Edmunds (3rd) added further intrigue as they moved to within three points of Old Albanian following a 27-10 bonus-point win over Canterbury (5th).
Tries from Matt Hicks (2) and Samir Kharbouch – on his 100th appearance – laid the foundations before Ben Cooper and Ben Penfold crossed in the second half.
James Shanahan’s side still have to host OAs at the GK IPA Haberden on the final day, while Oundle have now faced both of their title rivals home and away.
At the other end, Esher (11th) secured a crucial 22-17 victory over second-from-bottom Henley (13th), who claimed a losing bonus point.
James Botterill’s hat-trick earned the EEEs their first win of the calendar year, leaving Mike Brown’s side seven points clear of the ‘relegation play-off place’, while Henley remain one point adrift.
That is because Sevenoaks (12th) also picked up a losing bonus in a scrappy 10-8 defeat to fourth-placed Barnes.
All of the points came in the first half, with a converted Dan Robertshaw try proving decisive in a third straight win for Barnes. Oaks did have a chance to sneak the win late on, but Ben Adams’ penalty fell just short.
Oxford Harlequins (14th) saw their survival hopes dented further after a 65-24 home defeat to Dorking (6th).
The visitors led 48-7 at the break, and although Quins claimed a try bonus point and saw lock Allan Purchase mark his 300th appearance with a try, they sit 18 points behind Sevenoaks with six games left.
Elsewhere, scrum-half Ben Fryatt scored a first-half hat-trick as seven-try Westcombe Park (7th) defeated Guernsey Raiders (10th) 47-22.
Nine tries were shared in a frenetic first half, with Combe leading 35-22 and Fryatt completing his treble.
After the break, the in-form Jack Aungier and Harry Hudson sealed the result.
And Havant (8th) returned to winning ways by fighting back from 20-7 down to beat London Welsh (9th) 24-20 at Hooks Lane.
Tries from Sean Shepherd and debutant George Pooley, plus seven points from Joel Knight, turned things around with the latter’s 71st-minute penalty proving key.
National Two West
Loughborough Students (13th) moved to within one point of relegation rivals Exeter University after a breathless 45-35 win over Hornets (6th).
The victory leaves Martin Webdale’s side hot on the heels of Exeter – who occupy the ‘relegation play-off spot’ – with six games remaining.
A frantic opening quarter set the tone, with tries from Charlie Carter and Josh Sheppard being matched by Loughborough’s Jack Howells and Louis Nancekivell.
After George Payne’s score, Hornets responded through Joachim Hullah to make it 21-21 at the break.
The sides then traded two tries apiece but with the score at 35-35, Loughborough took control in the final quarter as Player of the Match Harry Fernandez-Ford and Jeke Bulanauca sealed a crucial win for the African Violet.
Chester (9th) also secured a key victory as Louis Beer’s hat-trick inspired a 27-19 win over Barnstaple (5th).
After four straight defeats, this was a welcome response for Rhys Hayes’ side.
Beer’s third try put Chester 17-12 ahead before a penalty try and three points from the boot of Morgan Bagshaw ultimately sealed the win.
Old Redcliffians (8th) made it four wins from five following a 25-7 success at Lymm (11th).
Tries from Haydn Barnes and Dan Thurston, plus 10 points from Zac Tomlin’s boot, built a 20-0 lead before Jonathan Cook added the finishing touch.
At the top, Camborne (1st) extended their winning run to 10 matches as they eventually pulled away from Exeter University (12th) to register a 52-12 victory.
The leaders were 19-12 up at the break but ran in five unanswered second-half tries.
Robin Wedlake-Millecam, Ben Priddey, George Wacokecoke, Rory O’Kane and Jamie Prisk all crossed as ‘Town’ claimed a 19th win from 20 games.
Camborne’s lead at the summit is now 13 points after Luctonians (2nd) edged to a 15-11 win over Cinderford (7th).
Cinderford’s excellent rearguard action denied the bonus point for Rob Lewis and George Thomas’ side, but second-half tries from Jack Goodwin and Rob Aikman still secured a solid result.
Luctonians next travel to third-placed Hinckley, who made it four straight wins with a 51-12 derby victory over bottom club Syston (14th).
After leading just 15-12 at the interval, tries from Nick Tarr, Devon Coulson, Callum Dacey, Oliver Bee and Sam Read saw Hinckley pull away.
Emyr Lewis’ side are 15 points behind Luctonians with a game in hand, so a victory next week at Leicester Road could breathe new life into the race for the play-off spot.
And finally, Tom Putt’s last-minute penalty snatched a 20-18 win for Taunton (4th) away at Redruth (10th).
The Titans led 17-15 before Joe Cummins edged Redruth ahead with a penalty eight minutes from time.
Taunton full-back Reece Malone also saw yellow, but Putt – the division’s top points scorer – kept his nerve to lift Tony Yapp’s side into fourth.
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