Round Seven Review: Shake-Ups, Welcome Wins and Building Momentum
National One delivered arguably its most exciting weekend so far, National Two East saw continued movement, and several clubs secured confidence-boosting victories. (Photo Credit: Phillipa Hilton)
National One
In my weekend preview, I suggested that Round Seven in National One lacked a “headline act.”
How wrong I was.
Three of the top five sides suffered defeats, none more so than Rotherham Titans (2nd), who lost 50–31 at Dings Crusaders (9th) – a result that ended the Yorkshire club’s perfect start to the season.
Even though Rotherham’s bus broke down en route to Shaftesbury Park, causing a delay to kick-off, the Titans were simply blown away by a blistering first-half display. The Crusaders crossed five times before the break through Will Thompson, Archie Stanley, Tom Knight, Harry Rowson and Bristol Bears youngster Evan Morris to lead 31–5.
Rowson and Morris added further scores in the second half, while another Bristol academy product, Kenzie Jenkins, also touched down. Rotherham fought back to secure a bonus point, but their unbeaten record was broken.
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That opened the door for Rosslyn Park to climb to the summit. The Londoners wasted no time in capitalising, running in 10 tries during a ruthless 68–19 demolition of Sedgley Park (8th). Wingers Luke Mehson and Charlie Walker both bagged hat-tricks as skipper Arthur Ellis celebrated his 150th appearance in style.
Rams RFC (3rd) also continued their fine form, grinding out a 21–14 win over a resilient Clifton (12th) thanks to Luke Graham’s decisive try five minutes from time. The result lifted Rams into third, overtaking Plymouth Albion and Blackheath, who both stumbled.
Albion (4th) fell 35-25 away at Tonbridge Juddians (7th), with scrum-half Connor Lloyd proving to be the difference from tee, while Blackheath (5th) were undone by a clinical first-half display from Birmingham Moseley (10th). The Midlands side scored four tries in a 21-minute blitz en route to a welcome 32–19 win, with hooker Ben Pogson dotting down twice.
Elsewhere, Leeds Tykes (11th) made it back-to-back victories after overcoming Bishop’s Stortford (13th) 46–36 away from home, and Leicester Lions (14th) claimed their first win of the campaign with a 35-31 success over Sale FC (6th).
Sale had won four on the bounce coming into this one, but the Lions had triumphed in three of the last four meetings between the sides – and that record held true once again. Late tries from Luke Bouchier and Leicester Tigers youngster Bronson Mellowes proved decisive in a tightly fought contest.
National Two North
Otley (9th) survived a spirited Sheffield Tigers (12th) fightback to edge a thrilling 37–36 win at Cross Green.
Both teams entered Round Seven with just one victory apiece, and after an even opening spell, Otley seized control either side of half-time.
A brace from No.8 Finnlan Warren-Lambert, a try from Harvey Sellers, and nine points from Joe Rowntree’s boot put the hosts 37-17 ahead with 20 minutes remaining.
But Sheffield Tigers refused to lie down, crossing through Tom Calladine, Mark Ireland and George Kooper to set up a tense finish.
Ben Crowe’s 80th-minute try saw Tigers move to within a point, but it was too little, too late.
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At the summit, league leaders Sheffield maintained their perfect start with a seventh successive bonus-point victory, defeating Hull (13th) 71-27 at Abbeydale Park.
A tight first half saw the hosts lead just 17-13, but a red card shown to Hull’s Tom Lineham allowed Sheffield to cut loose after the break with doubles from Christian Hooper and Alex Fawdry.
Darlington Mowden Park (2nd) still have Sheffield in their vision after an eight-try, 54–27 victory over Rossendale (11th), while Macclesfield’s (3rd) Ollie Longmore scored a hat-trick in their 41–19 win against Billingham. The Cheshire outfit have won six of their seven games this term and welcome Sheffield to Priory Park in Round Eight.
Tynedale (4th) and Fylde (5th) both bounced back in Round Seven. Tyne edged past Preston Grasshoppers (8th) 25–15, with Cam Grant’s accurate kicking and a Will Miller try proving decisive, while Fylde overcame a spirited Scunthorpe (14th) 45–27 at Heslam Park, leaving the hosts still searching for their first win.
And Hull Ionians (6th) claimed successive victories, edging Wharfedale (7th) 37-30 in a hard-fought contest at The Avenue. A Ben Smith penalty and a try from player-coach Maliq Holden sealed the win.
National Two East
Oxford Harlequins (12th) secured just their second win of the season with a 33–17 victory over local rivals Henley Hawks (13th).
Harry Burn opened the scoring before Quins capitalised on a yellow card shown to Leo Webb, crossing through AJ McCoubrey and John Ireland. Toby Haines added the bonus-point try, while Kieran Jenkins contributed 13 points from the tee.
Henley scored through Oliver Snook and quick-fire efforts from Webb and Matthew Cooke, but their tough start to the season continued as Quins claimed a morale-boosting win.
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At the top of National Two East, Old Albanian (1st) continued their impressive form with a 43–31 win over Canterbury (9th), inspired by a hat-trick from Alex Noot. Their victory ensured they remain four points clear at the summit, though Barnes (2nd) and Oundle (3rd) kept pace with narrow wins of their own.
Barnes left it late at Esher (6th), scoring two tries in the final five minutes through Patrick Walton and Matthew Branfield to seal a 36-28 triumph. Oundle were also made to work hard, edging Dorking (8th) 22-19 at Occupation Road.
Further down, Westcombe Park (4th) powered into the top four with a 59–14 rout of London Welsh (14th), while Bury St Edmunds climbed to fifth after a fast start helped them past Havant (10th) 36-28. No.8 Ruaraidh Williams led the charge with a hat-trick.
And elsewhere, Guernsey Raiders (7th) extended their winning streak to four matches after beating Sevenoaks (11th) 45-41 despite a spirited fightback from the hosts.
National Two West
Luctonians climbed to second in National Two West with a 28–10 victory over Barnstaple (4th) at Mortimer Park.
Both sides entered the weekend in fine form, but it was Lucs who extended their winning streak to six matches. Trailing 10-7 just before half-time, a try from Harry Whiteman gave the home side the lead, and second-half scores from Player of the Match James Mear and captain Ben Link sealed the result.
On the back of that result in Herefordshire, Redruth have moved up to third as they returned to winning ways with an efficient 26-0 victory over Hornets (6th), while Camborne (1st) maintained their perfect record and dominant form at the top.
The Cherry and Whites made it seven bonus-point wins from seven following a 41-12 victory over Old Redcliffians (13th), with hooker Ben Priddey scoring four as the league leaders eventually powered clear in the second 40.
One minute left and after a hard drive we are over!!!! pic.twitter.com/1ZszNPc98m
— Cinderford RFC 🌲🏉 (@cinderfordrfc) October 18, 2025
There was high drama elsewhere as Cinderford (5th) edged Hinckley (11th) 43-40 in a breathless encounter, James Elliott’s try three minutes from time proving decisive on his 150th appearance for the hosts.
Lymm (7th) enjoyed a try-filled 52–36 home win over Syston (14th) at Crouchley Lane. Despite trailing 26–17 at half-time, the hosts surged clear with five second-half tries while Chester (8th) recorded three home victories on the spin, fending off a late rally from Taunton Titans (9th) to win 38–33.
Rhys Hayes’ side raced to four tries in the opening 25 minutes, but Taunton’s fightback kept the contest tense until the final whistle.
And lastly, Loughborough Students (12th) and Exeter University (10th) delivered another classic student showdown, with the African Violet edging it 42-39 thanks to a Louis Nancekivell hat-trick.
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