Round 24 Preview: ClubberTV returns to cover National One title race as gripping finale begins
The ClubberTV cameras will be at The Utilita for Blackheath vs Sale FC in National One, while across tiers three and four, jeopardy is everywhere in Round 24. (Photo Credit: Matt Fleming Photography)
National One
Are we ready?
A gripping finale awaits in National One, and if the third tier has indeed produced “the best title race in the country” according to The Times, it is only fitting that we begin our preview with the battle at the top.
The headline fixture in Round 24 comes from the capital, where third-placed Blackheath host Sale FC (4th) live on ClubberTV.
Blackheath sit just four points behind leaders Rotherham Titans and head into their final three games on a real high after winning 10 of their last 11 matches, including victories over Rotherham and Plymouth Albion (2nd).
With top try scorer Billy Harding just one away from breaking Phil Chesters’ single-season National One record of 42, momentum seems to be with Tom Stradwick’s side.
Yet Sale cannot be discounted. Jonathan Keep’s men – who are six points off Blackheath – have won nine of their last 11 and did beat ‘Club’ 26-21 back in December. ‘The Dogs’ also face all of the current top three before the month is out.
However, defeat at The Utilita on Saturday could severely damage, or even end, their promotion hopes, so Sale will be determined to become just the second team to win at Blackheath this term.
As for table-toppers Rotherham (1st), they are four points clear at the summit and in control of the title race after their dramatic 22-19 win over Plymouth last time out.
Harvey Biljon’s side now welcome sixth-placed Rams to South Yorkshire on Saturday. The visitors arrive buoyed by an 11-try victory over Leicester Lions in Round 23, but now face one of the division’s toughest assignments.
The Titans have lost just once in their last 40 matches at Clifton Lane, and have won all 11 of their home games this season while Plymouth Albion (2nd) also boast a strong home record.
Albion – who are four points behind Roth – host a struggling Sedgley Park (13th), so will be favourites against a Tigers side battling for survival.
Sedge sit second-bottom, three points from safety, and their position is becoming increasingly precarious.
While they have had a depleted squad at times this season, they aren’t using their injuries as an excuse.
Instead, Scott Barrow’s side – who have lost their last six – could point to the fact that four of those setbacks have come against bottom-half opposition, and that has hurt them.
With Rotherham and Rams to follow in their final two fixtures, Sedgley will have to be at their very best in Devon if they are to add to their survival bid.
The relegation picture is no less tense elsewhere.
Dings Crusaders (12th), Clifton (11th) and Birmingham Moseley (10th) are separated by a single point, with Dings currently occupying the final automatic relegation place.
This weekend, the Crusaders will look to overcome the challenge of Bishop’s Stortford (7th) – who have won their last six – at Shaftesbury Park while Clifton are on the road at Tonbridge Juddians (8th).
Moseley will want to keep in control of their own destiny when they take on Leeds Tykes (9th) at Billesley Common in the 4pm kick-off, while victory for the visitors would represent a huge step towards safety.
Elsewhere, Rosslyn Park (5th) host already relegated Leicester Lions (14th) in their final home match of the campaign.
No one can catch Sheffield (1st) now.
Two weeks ago, Anthony Posa’s side made history with a 43-24 win over Macclesfield, securing promotion to National One and the club’s first league title in their 124-year existence.
While celebrations were deserved, thoughts have now turned to whether the Steel City club can win all 26 of their matches.
Not since Hartpury in 2016-17 has a National League side completed a full season by winning every game [they won 30 out of 30 in National One]. Sheffield now have the chance to write another remarkable chapter.
Next up is a trip to Wharfedale (7th), a stern test. The Green Machine have won their last six home matches and defeated Sheffield 36-21 in this corresponding fixture last season.
Indeed, Wharfedale have taken victory in each of their last four home encounters with the newly crowned champions so can they burst Sheffield’s bubble on Saturday?
While the title is settled, the race for the play-off position remains anybody’s guess.
Macclesfield (3rd) secured a try bonus at Sheffield two weeks ago to move level on points with Tynedale (2nd), with the pair now separated by points difference.
Tyne hold a +46 advantage over their table rivals as they prepare for their final home game of the season against second-from-bottom Scunthorpe.
With a North-East derby against Billingham and a trip to Wharfedale to come, Peter Southern’s charges will be hoping to bank five points this weekend.
Fifty miles down the road will be Macclesfield, who visit Darlington Mowden Park (5th).
The Cheshire outfit will be aiming to recapture their solid away form if they are to keep the pressure on Tynedale in this compelling race for second.
At the other end of the table, the battle to avoid relegation is equally as intense, with four of the bottom five sides going head-to-head in Round 24.
As mentioned, Scunthorpe (13th), who are three points off the relegation play-off spot with a game in hand, visit Tynedale, while bottom club Hull (14th) travel to Otley (11th) in a crucial contest.
This time last year, both clubs were scrapping for their National Two status and both survived – with Hull confirming their saftey thanks to a breathless 48-45 win at Otley on the final day.
The pair renew acquaintances at Cross Green this weekend with Hull seven points adrift of the relegation play-off position and 11 behind Otley.
What may give Hull some hope is that they still have to face Otley and 12th-placed Rossendale (who occupy the relegation play-off position) while Saturday’s hosts will be determined to pull clear of danger.
Kyle Dench’s side have lost six of their last seven, and Rossendale’s (12th) resurgence – three wins in four – leaves Otley just four points clear of the unwanted play-off spot.
Confidence will be high at Marl Pits as Rossendale host Preston Grasshoppers (10th) on Saturday for the first of two Lancashire derbies in as many weeks.
In Round 25, The Stags go to Fylde (6th) – who this week visit Sheffield Tigers (8th) – while elsewhere, Hull Ionians (4th) host Billingham (9th) at Brantingham Park.
National Two East
Over in National Two East, as in National One, the title race could well go to the wire.
Bury St Edmunds (1st) enter the final stretch two points clear at the summit, with their consistency shining through.
James Shanahan’s side have lost only once since the end of November and now have the keys to automatic promotion to the third tier.
However, there is still work to be done if they are to unlock the door – with games against Dorking (4th) and fellow title contenders Old Albanian (3rd) to come – but first up is the visit of Henley (12th).
There might be 11 places and 44 points separating the two sides, but Henley’s fight to stay in National Two will make them a tricky customer.
Luke Allen’s men sit in the relegation play-off spot, seven points clear of the drop zone and just one point from safety, having won four of their last five games.
That they only managed three wins from their previous 18 matches highlights the fight within the squad, which will be tested again against the league leaders.
A similar theme will be played out at Knole Paddock, where second-from-bottom Sevenoaks (13th) host Oundle (2nd).
Oundle have returned to the top two but cannot underestimate their hosts, who recently dented Old Albanian’s promotion bid with a fine 39-33 victory away from home.
If they are to keep their survival hopes alive, Adam Bowman’s team will be eager to produce something similar against another of the division’s leading sides.
Meanwhile, Old Albanian (3rd) have slipped slightly after back-to-back defeats in March, falling three points off the summit and one behind Oundle.
James Osborn and Dan George’s side now travel to seventh-placed Westcombe Park, perhaps seeking revenge after a 40-31 loss against them in Round 12.
At the other end of the standings, with Henley and Sevenoaks facing title contenders this weekend, Round 24 offers a chance for Esher (11th) to distance themselves from danger.
Encouraged by a victory over Old Albanian and a strong showing at Oundle, Mike Brown’s side host already relegated Oxford Harlequins (14th) on Saturday.
With a trip to Sevenoaks to also come on the final day, securing National Two safety is very much in their own hands.
Elsewhere, Dorking (4th) – unbeaten in their last five – travel to Havant (9th), who have also won five in a row at Hooks Lane.
Barnes (5th) face near neighbours London Welsh (10th), while Canterbury (7th) head to Guernsey Raiders (9th).
National Two West
The title race in National Two West has boiled down to the final three matches, though the next fortnight may well decide if it goes the full distance.
Camborne (1st) have pretty much held control of top spot all season. Despite a brief wobble – losing two of their last three matches – ‘Town’ remain 10 points clear of nearest challengers Luctonians (2nd).
The Cherry and Whites could secure a historic promotion to the third tier this weekend. They host Cinderford (6th) at The Recreation Ground knowing that if they better Luctonians’ result, they will be champions.
Cinderford arrive having won just once in their last five, though they pushed Camborne close in a 19-14 defeat back in December.
Luctonians, meanwhile, will hope Cinderford can repeat that sort of display as they look to take care of their own business at Loughborough Students (12th).
A bonus-point win would definitely take the title race into Round 25, when the top two meet at Mortimer Park, but Loughborough won’t make it easy.
Fresh from securing a place in the BUCS Super Rugby Championship final, Martin Webdale’s side will be eager to channel that momentum into their National Two West survival bid.
Last time out, the African Violet moved four points clear of the relegation zone after a thrilling 47-40 win at Cinderford.
Elsewhere, Exeter University (13th) host play-off hopefuls Hinckley (3rd), who sit five points behind Luctonians following eight consecutive wins.
Bringing it back to the relegation battle, Exeter were beaten 58-48 by Loughborough in BUCS in midweek so all focus for Gareth Elliott’s side will now go into a tricky trio of National League Rugby fixtures.
After this weekend, Exeter go to Hornets (5th) and then host Taunton (4th) on the final day, while Loughborough take on 11th-placed Chester and finish with a home clash against Redruth.
Speaking of Chester (11th), they face a key run of games, beginning with a trip to Redruth (10th) on Saturday.
Although they have lost their last three, Rhys Hayes’ side have shown encouraging signs, but sit just five points clear of Loughborough. Redruth will see a positive result as important to avoid any sort of late relegation jeopardy.
Also in Round 24, Taunton (4th) visit already relegated Syston (14th), while Hornets (5th) travel to Old Redcliffians (9th) in what promises to be a lively West Country derby.
And Lymm (8th), following their recent announcement that Director of Rugby Adam Fletcher will be stepping down at the of the season, will be eager to finish the campaign strongly, starting with the visit of Barnstaple (7th).
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