Round 24 Review: Title candidates don’t relent as promotion hopes fade and survival battles shift
So many narratives played out across Round 24, with some ridiculous scorelines, crucial victories and record-breaking moments adding to a compelling end to the season. (Photo Credit: Daniel Rule Photography)
National One
Blackheath (3rd) further strengthened their promotion ambitions while ending Sale FC’s (4th) hopes in the process after a 40-19 victory at The Utilita.
On the day when ‘Club’ captain Billy Harding broke the National One single-season try-scoring record, Blackheath maintained their momentum towards the top.
This result for Sale, combined with Plymouth’s bonus-point win over Sedgley Park, means The Dogs’ dreams of sneaking into the play-off places are over.
After Huw Davies had opened the scoring for Sale, tries from Luke Pollock and Tom Hughes put Blackheath 10-7 ahead.
Harding then produced his historic moment, peeling off the back of a maul to score his 43rd try of the season and break the record previously held by Ealing’s Phil Chesters, set in 2011-12.
Both sides then swapped tries either side of the break before Finley O’Sullivan and Tom Emery put the result beyond doubt for Blackheath, with Sam Morley also adding a penalty for good measure.
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Tom Stradwick’s side – who have now secured a play-off place as a minimum – remain four points behind leaders Rotherham Titans (1st), who ran in a stunning 12 tries in a ruthless 80-7 win over Rams (6th).
Winger James Norman scored a hat-trick, while Lloyd Hayes accumulated 30 points in an emphatic display from Harvey Biljon’s side.
Plymouth Albion (2nd) also didn’t let up as a 68-24 victory over relegation-threatened Sedgley Park (13th) kept them four points behind Rotherham.
Bobby Wigginton bagged a brace in this 10-try win, while fly-half Iwan Jenkins delivered a Player of the Match performance.
To their credit, Sedge collected a try bonus point despite Adam Mallinson being sent off with 13 minutes remaining. Jack Ellam and Danny Rylance both crossed for The Tigers to add to their survival bid.
Looking ahead to Round 25, Rotherham travel to Sedgley Park, Plymouth Albion visit Sale FC, and Blackheath head to ninth-placed Leeds Tykes.
Bringing it back to Sedgley Park’s defeat, it leaves them six points from safety after Dings Crusaders (10th) climbed out of the relegation zone with a 40-34 win over Bishop’s Stortford (7th).
The Crusaders surged into a 26-7 lead thanks to tries from Bristol Bears talents Tomas Gwilliam, Joe Jenkins and Sam Scott, alongside Harry Rowson, before Jenkins went to the bin.
Despite the setback, Dings led 33-12 early in the second half. Although Stortford mounted an impressive comeback to reduce the deficit to three points, the hosts were able to score another try, which secured what could be a crucial victory.
Dings are now two points clear of Birmingham Moseley (11th), who occupy the relegation play-off spot, after a late 25-24 home defeat to Leeds Tykes (9th).
Ben Pogson’s try six minutes from time looked set to seal it for Moseley, but Benjamin Bailey’s finish in the corner snatched the win for the Tykes.
The result ensures Leeds cannot be dragged into the bottom three and leaves them needing just two points from their final two games to secure their National One status, even if Moseley collect maximum points.
Clifton (12th) earned a try bonus point but slipped into the bottom three following a 33-24 defeat at Tonbridge Juddians (8th).
TJs had built a commanding 33-5 lead shortly after half-time, but Clifton responded well, with tries from Christian Packer, Zak Hamid and Jack Bennett adding to their survival push.
The Lavender and Blacks now sit two points behind Moseley, who they host in Round 25.
And last but certainly not least, Rosslyn Park (5th)’s Luke Mehson scored a remarkable seven tries in an 88-7 win over already relegated Leicester Lions (14th).
National Two North
Hull (13th) gave their survival hopes a major shot in the arm with a 22-14 win over Otley (11th) at Cross Green.
Harvey Sellers and Alec Renouf traded tries in the first period, but a penalty from Reece Dean and Paulos Latu’s converted try put Hull 15-7 ahead.
Renouf’s second four minutes from time ultimately sealed this decisive win for Hull, while Otley aren’t clear of danger just yet.
Hull are now four points behind Rossendale, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, and they still have to face The Stags on the final day away from home.
As for Rossendale (12th), they missed the chance to move away from danger after a 25-19 home defeat against Lancashire rivals Preston Grasshoppers (9th).
With both sides scoring three tries to make it 19-19, two penalties from full-back Sam Freeman secured a fourth win in five for Hoppers.
Scunthorpe (14th) now prop up the division and, like Hull, sit four points behind Rossendale following a 44-19 defeat at play-off chasing Tynedale (2nd).
The Greens, who still have a game in hand away at champions Sheffield, competed well but ultimately had no answer to Tynedale winger Will Roberts, who scored four tries.
For Tynedale, the victory could prove pivotal in the play-off race after Macclesfield (3rd) lost 42-41 at Darlington Mowden Park (5th).
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A see-saw contest saw Macc lead 22-7 before tries from Sam Clark and Ben Douglas cut the deficit to one point by half-time.
After further exchanges, Liam Checksfield – who completed a hat-trick – and Douglas pushed DMP 42-34 ahead.
Macc responded with a penalty try and had a chance to win it, but Harry Oliver’s late penalty fell just short.
The defeat leaves Macclesfield three points behind Tynedale, with fixtures against Otley (11th) and Sheffield Tigers (8th) remaining.
Tynedale, meanwhile, face away trips to Billingham (10th) and Wharfedale.
And speaking of Wharfedale (7th), they ended the winning streak of newly crowned champions Sheffield (1st) with a 24-12 victory at The Avenue.
Simon Verbickas’ side, who had won their previous four home games against Sheffield, once again proved to be their kryptonite.
The champions had won all 22 of their matches, but saw their perfect record ended by tries from Alfie Weston, Oli Cicognini, Orson Hall and Jake Armstrong.
Elsewhere, late tries from Cameron Burnhill and Ben Stephenson secured a 33-26 win for Hull Ionians (4th) over Billingham, while Sheffield Tigers (8th) saw Mark Ireland bow out with a 34-21 victory against Fylde (6th).
One of the division’s most astute operators, Ireland started at fly-half in his final game for the club as the Tigers scored three tries in the final quarter to return to winning ways.
National Two East
Esher (11th) ran in 12 tries in a 78-7 victory against already relegated Oxford Harlequins (14th) to significantly boost their survival hopes.
Mike Brown’s side now sit four points clear of the relegation play-off spot, but crucially, they cannot be dragged into the bottom two following this comprehensive display.
Top try-scorer James Botterill scored a hat-trick while Tomasz Pozniak, Sam Bullock and Tom Spiers went over twice.
Esher conclude the season with two away games against Canterbury (6th) and Sevenoaks (13th).
The EEEs table rivals – Henley (12th) – battled back to claim two valuable bonus points in a 33-28 defeat at title-chasing Bury St Edmunds (1st).
Trailing 26-7 at half-time, Luke Allen’s side responded strongly, with Sam Lunnon crossing for their fourth try with the final play.
Henley remain in the relegation play-off spot and are still seven points clear of Sevenoaks (13th), who lost 31-28 at home to second-placed Oundle.
Sevenoaks had led 28-19 with 12 minutes remaining, but tries from Samson Ma’asi and Tevita Vaenuku turned the game in Oundle’s favour, meaning the hosts had to settle for two points.
Sevenoaks travel to already relegated Oxford Harlequins next weekend, while Henley host London Welsh (10th).
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The victories for Bury St Edmunds – now unbeaten in six – and Oundle keep the gap between the top two at two points, but Old Albanian (3rd) suffered a damaging setback.
A 52-31 defeat at Westcombe Park (7th) leaves them five points off second and seven behind Bury after a third straight loss.
Combe scored five first-half tries to lead 33-5, and although OAs improved after the break, a late hat-trick from Toby Wallace completed a double for the hosts.
Elsewhere, Will Perry’s last-gasp try earned Havant (8th) a 43-39 win over Dorking (4th), whose discipline proved costly.
Despite Luke Baldwin’s 45th-minute red card and a 31-19 deficit, Dorking rallied with three tries in 10 minutes to lead 34-31. During this period, Havant’s Ben Holt was yellow-carded before Joel Knight was sent off for dissent.
The drama continued as Perry’s first converted try and Tom Howe’s score left Dorking 39-38 ahead, but a second yellow card for Tom Bloomer helped Havant – and Perry – to victory.
Barnes (5th) claimed derby day honours against London Welsh (10th) with a 22-15 win at Old Deer Park, while Eoin O’Donoghue’s try six minutes from time secured Canterbury (6th) a 33-29 win at Guernsey Raiders (9th).
National Two West
Camborne (1st) are on the cusp of the National Two West title after a 52-31 win over Cinderford (7th) at The Recreation Ground.
It was a solid opening 40 minutes from the table-toppers, with Sam Matavesi crossing twice while brother Josh also dotted down alongside Will Hennessy and Jamie Prisk.
Prisk and Josh Matavesi added to their tallies after the interval, with Tom Kessell’s side rounding off proceedings with a penalty try.
As for Cinderford, an excellent try from Brendan Llewelyn was backed up in the second half by four more efforts.
Camborne now require just one point to seal promotion to National One, which could come next weekend at second-placed Luctonians.
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Luctonians, 10 points behind, kept the title race alive with a 47-26 win at Loughborough Students (12th).
After trailing 14-0, Rob Lewis and George Thomas’ side responded with four tries – two from Caleb Montgomery – to lead 28-14 at half-time, before adding three more in the final quarter.
While automatic promotion may well be all but secured for Camborne, Luctonians will be focused on cementing their play-off place.
Hinckley (3rd) remain in contention for that play-off spot, sitting five points off second, after a 77-31 victory over Exeter University (13th).
Will Callan scored a hat-trick, while Ben Pointon and Matt Guilfoyle each crossed twice. Tom Addison converted all 11 tries and added one of his own.
With Luctonians facing Camborne in Round 25, Hinckley will be watching closely as they host Redruth.
As for Exeter and that result against Hinckley, they remain four points behind Loughborough – who sit in the relegation play-off spot – and travel to fifth-placed Hornets next time out.
Loughborough, meanwhile, face a crucial trip to Chester (11th), who are five points clear of the relegation play-off position following a 55-28 defeat at Redruth (9th).
After a 28-28 half-time scoreline, 27 unanswered points condemned Chester to a fourth successive loss.
Chris Rovey (four tries in total), Tom Cowan-Dickie and Noah Clifford all scored, while Joe Cummins added 12 points as Redruth secured their National Two status.
Elsewhere, Hornets (5th) fell 45-19 to Old Redcliffians (8th) at Scotland Lane, with No.8 Lex Valentino scoring a hat-trick and scrum-half Andy Butler impressing on derby day.
Taunton (4th) ran in 10 tries in an entertaining 66-43 win over already relegated Syston (14th), while Barnstaple (6th) ended a four-game winless run with a 26-10 victory at Lymm (10th).
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