Round Nine Review: Thrillers, Turning Points, and Top-Class Performances as National League Rugby Picks Up From Where It Left Off
From late drama and hat-tricks to unbeaten runs and long-awaited wins, National League Rugby returned with a breathless weekend of action. (Photo Credit: Kairos Sports Photography)
National One
Bishop’s Stortford (10th) gave themselves a much-needed boost as they overcame Rams (6th) 36-29 to claim just their second win of the season.
Injuries have plagued Tom Coleman’s side throughout the campaign, but with some names returning, Stortford finally rediscovered their rhythm to earn a first victory since the opening day.
Finn Keylock converted tries from fellow Saracens youngster Asa Stewart-Harris, standout performer Fraizer Kiff, Isaac Bell, and Tom Hitchcock, while Jake Morris also crossed to hand the hosts a commanding 33-14 lead shortly after half-time.
Rams hit back through Andrew Lamb and Peter Austin, adding to Morgan MacRae’s earlier effort and a penalty try, but three points from the boot of Keylock ensured Stortford stayed in control.
Although MacRae grabbed a late score to secure a second bonus point for the visitors, Stortford’s outstanding first-half display laid the foundations for a well-earned and long-awaited win.
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There was also a key victory for Clifton, who climbed to ninth after edging past table rivals Leicester Lions (12th) 29-26 in a tense affair at Westleigh Park. Will Owen’s try five minutes from time sealed back-to-back wins for the Lavender and Blacks.
The Lions did get a final chance when a high tackle resulted in a yellow card, allowing them to kick to the corner after the clock had expired.
The subsequent penalty beneath the posts offered a simple draw, but the hosts boldly chased victory. Bronson Mellowes tapped quickly and drove over the line, only to be held up.
At the top, Rosslyn Park underlined their credentials with a commanding 53-17 win over Leeds Tykes (14th) at The Rock – their 17th consecutive home triumph.
They are now two points clear of Rotherham Titans (2nd), who recorded a hard-fought 33-15 victory away at Birmingham Moseley (13th).
For the Titans, talisman Lloyd Hayes again proved invaluable as he slotted 18 points from the tee and scored a try, while Luckas Sableman-Blue and Ellis Thomas also crossed the whitewash.
Blackheath (3rd) signalled a statement of intent with an impressive 40-28 victory over Plymouth Albion (4th).
Second-half tries from Finn Osborne, Billy Harding (who scored a hat-trick), and Ben Charnock punished Albion’s indiscipline as ‘Club’ now prepare for a trip to Rotherham in Round 10.
Sale FC moved up to fifth after demolishing Dings Crusaders (11th) 58-12. Winger Harry Davey was the star, running in four tries for ‘The Dogs’.
There was also a dominant display from Tonbridge Juddians (7th), who swept aside an injury-hit Sedgley Park (8th) 56-0 at The Slade.
National Two North
Sheffield Tigers (11th) secured an important victory as they defeated Rossendale (12th) 33-15 at Dore Moor.
The visitors briefly held a 12-7 lead on the half-hour mark after Tane Valu Bentley and Junior Tafeaga Sa’u responded to Ben Crowe’s early try, but scores from Miles Dodsworth and Louis Redfern-Brown before the break swung the momentum back in the Tigers’ favour.
A Dan Holland penalty narrowed the gap to 19-15, yet a try from Barney Goatley and a second from Dodsworth sealed a very welcome win for Stephen Roberts’ side.
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Elsewhere, it was a weekend of convincing wins for the top four.
Sheffield (1st) maintained their 100 per cent record with a 58-7 victory over Billingham (10th), while Darlington Mowden Park (2nd) notched their seventh successive triumph as they beat Preston Grasshoppers (7th) 57-35 following a brilliant first half display.
Tynedale (3rd) impressed with a nine-try display to beat Hull (13th) 66-26, and Macclesfield (4th) were equally ruthless, dispatching Scunthorpe (14th) 66-14 at Heslam Park – centre Harry Oliver contributing 19 points.
There was late drama for Fylde (5th), who edged Wharfedale (8th) 43-39 thanks to Alex Clayton’s last-minute try in a pulsating encounter at The Avenue.
And lastly, Hull Ionians (6th) continued their good form with a fourth win in five, defeating Otley (9th) 45-22 on the road.
National Two East
Sevenoaks (13th) began November on a positive note as they clinched a dramatic 27-26 victory over Henley Hawks (11th) at Knole Paddock.
The hosts lept into a 24-12 lead midway through the second 40, with Sam Begbie’s try and the reliable boot of Ben Adams adding to first-half scores from Josh Livett and Cameron Cummings.
However, Henley’s clinical finisher Spencer Hayhow turned the game on its head, completing his hat-trick to give the Hawks a 26-24 advantage with just eight minutes remaining.
But in a familiar twist for Henley, late heartbreak struck once again as Adams held his nerve to slot a penalty in the 79th minute – sealing Sevenoaks’ first victory since Round Four.
At the top, Old Albanian (1st) extended their lead at the summit to seven points with a 53-14 victory over bottom side Oxford Harlequins. Winger Josh Skelcey crossed for a hat-trick as the visitors pulled clear in the second half.
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The chasing pack remains tightly bunched, with Westcombe Park’s (5th) 36-26 home win over Barnes (3rd) shaking up the standings.
A first-half hat-trick from lock Sam Fombo helped ‘Combe’ into a 33-0 lead, leaving Barnes with a bit too much work to do in the second period.
Bury St Edmunds (2nd) took full advantage of Barnes’ misstep, holding off a spirited London Welsh (12th) 47-42.
James Shanahan’s men raced into a 24-0 lead – thanks to a rapid hat-trick from Andrew Denham – before Welsh clawed their way back, only for two late Ben Penfold penalties to steady the Wolfpack.
Oundle (4th) continue to thrive in close contests, with Kieran Frost’s late try sealing a 31-24 win over Canterbury (9th) while the game of the weekend came at Hooks Lane, between Havant (10th) and Guernsey (7th).
Guernsey – who entered Round Nine on a five-match winning streak – looked to have won this end-to-end contest when Dom Rice dotted down in the 79th minute.
The lead had changed hands on no fewer than nine occasions, but there was still time for a final twist as Havant were awarded a penalty, which Joel Knight kicked to earn a breathless 45-45 draw.
Elsewhere, Dorking (6th) prevailed 20-15 at Esher (8th).
National Two West
It was an engrossing weekend at the top of National Two West as Camborne (1st) extended their lead to eight points, though they were made to work for it.
The Cherry and Whites trailed Hornets (6th) 18-10 at half-time before second-half scores from CJ Boyce, Alex Ducker, Jonathan Drew, Will Tanswell, and Ben Priddey maintained their perfect record as they sealed a 43-18 win.
Luctonians remain second but saw their seven-match winning run come to an end as Hinckley (7th) departed Mortimer Park with a superb 26-22 victory.
Player of the Match Nick Tarr got things going for Hinckley before winger Callum Dacey and centre Will Callan also crossed.
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Luctonians hit back through Jack Goodwin and Brad Smith, but Sam Read’s fourth try in his last five games kept the visitors in control heading into the closing stages.
A late surge from Lucs – with Joel Middleton and Charlie Grimes both crossing – set up a tense finale in Herefordshire, but Hinckley held their nerve to secure their third win in their last four outings.
Barnstaple (3rd) remain third following a dramatic 27-26 win at Redruth (5th). With the score at 26-17 with less than five minutes remaining, the hosts lost Sam Stevens to the sin bin, reducing Redruth to 13 men after an earlier yellow card for Dan Rutter.
Despite being down to 14 men themselves following a yellow for Jacob Childs, Barum hit back with a try from Brendan Darley before Ryan Lee’s last-gasp converted score sealed the win.
Lymm (4th) held off a spirited Exeter University (13th) comeback to win 48-40, a result that dropped the visitors into the bottom two after three consecutive defeats.
Loughborough Students (12th) took advantage with a third straight home win, edging Taunton Titans (8th) 31-24.
Elsewhere, Old Redcliffians moved up to 11th with a deserved 30-7 away win at Syston (14th), who are beginning to be cut adrift, while Chester (10th) made it four home victories on the bounce after a thrilling 13-try clash with Cinderford (9th).
Trailing 15-5 early on and with Jarad Williams sent off on 32 minutes, Rhys Hayes’ men turned it around to win 46-37, with Louis Beer grabbing a hat-trick for the hosts.
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