Round Three Review: Testing Weather Conditions Fail to Halt Thrilling Weekend of Action
Round Three delivered thrilling action despite challenging weather, with standout performances, remarkable fightbacks and last-gasp heroics. (Photo Credit: Gareth Lyons)
National One
Plymouth Albion (1st) made it three wins from three with another strong display, this time away at Bishop’s Stortford (9th). Winger Rob Wigginton claimed a brace in a 31-15 success, keeping Albion firmly among the early frontrunners.
Rotherham Titans (2nd) also look like a side brimming with confidence. Isaac Shaw and Jackson Barling both crossed twice as they eventually powered past a stubborn Clifton (14th) 40-15.
Rosslyn Park (3rd), last year’s runners-up, also remain perfect after pulling away from Birmingham Moseley (10th) in the last 15 minutes to seal a 47-24 win. Full-back Luke Mehson was the star of the show, running in a hat-trick.
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Blackheath (4th) complete the quartet of 100 per cent clubs. They swept Leicester Lions (13th) aside 47-12 on the road, with flanker Noah Sloot bagging a double.
At the other end of the spectrum, Rams’ (6th) unbeaten start was halted by Sale FC (8th). The Berkshire club have not enjoyed a win in the North-West since 2019, and the Morson Stadium continued to be an unhappy hunting ground as “The Dogs” secured a 31-17 victory and their first triumph of the term.
Tonbridge Juddians’ (5th) bright start continued as a clinical first-half display paved the way for a 34-21 triumph at Dings Crusaders (11th). Meanwhile, Sedgley Park (7th) battled through torrential Yorkshire rain to record back-to-back wins, defeating Leeds Tykes (12th) 20-8.
National Two North
Sheffield (1st) and Tynedale (2nd) both maintained their flawless starts. The Steel City outfit ran in seven tries to brush aside newcomers Rossendale (9th) 45-10 at Abbeydale Park, while Tynedale proved too strong for Otley (8th), winning 34-8 with full-back Cam Grant contributing 14 points from the tee.
Macclesfield (3rd) made it three from three but had to dig deep to see off Hull Ionians (7th) 31-26. The boot of Harry Oliver put the Blues 16-0 up, only for Ionians to storm back with tries either side of half-time from Adam Brankley, James Watts and Cameron Burnhill.
Further scores from Harry Blackwell and Immanuel Shute restored Macclesfield’s advantage, but a try from player-coach Maliq Holden set up a tense finale.
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With the game finely poised at 28-26, Oliver held his nerve in sodden conditions to land the decisive penalty, finishing with 16 points to his name.
Fylde (4th) also stayed unbeaten, with Round Two’s Player of the Week Gabe Maguire bagging a hat-trick in a 27-11 victory over Billingham (11th). Despite having lock Ben Walton sent off on 62 minutes, the hosts kept control as Billingham failed to add to their tally.
Darlington Mowden Park (5th) won a pulsating 31-28 contest at Wharfedale (12th), thanks to a hat-trick from scrum-half Ben Douglas and two tries from Harrison Wood despite the North-East side receiving two yellow cards in the opening five minutes.
Elsewhere, Preston Grasshoppers (6th) edged Hull (13th) 10-3, Jacob Browne’s excellent score proving the difference and Sheffield Tigers (10th) collected their first win of the campaign, a battling performance allowing them to edge Scunthorpe (14th) 19-18 away from home.
National Two East
Esher (2nd) and Havant (3rd) delivered an 11-try spectacle at Molesey Road, with the hosts emerging 40-36 winners.
In a contest that swung back and forth, it was former England Under-18 international Sam Bland who struck late to seal a second last-gasp win for Esher in as many weeks.
Old Albanian (1st), meanwhile, were in rampant mood as they dismantled Guernsey Raiders (14th) 87-17, notching 13 tries. Asa Stewart-Harris, Josh Skelcey, Alex Noot and Alessandro Ricci all scored twice as OAs maintained their perfect record.
Barnes (4th) and Dorking (6th) renewed their tradition of tight, tense encounters. This one went the way of Barnes 22-21, with Round One hero Dan Robertshaw crossing late and Harvey Graham nailing the vital conversion in windy conditions.
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Sevenoaks (11th) also produced late drama in their first home game of the season, edging Westcombe Park (8th) 27-26. Combe looked to have clinched it through Raffa Dutta, but Jacob Ivell’s intercept try in the 79th minute was then converted by Ben Adams to seal the win.
The comeback of the weekend belonged to Bury St Edmunds (10th). Trailing Oxford Harlequins (13th) 38-19 with just over 25 minutes left, James Shanahan’s side roared back with four tries, Cameron Murphy diving over at the death to seal a remarkable 45-38 win.
Elsewhere, Oundle (5th) and London Welsh (12th) served up a 13-try thriller in a battle of two newly promoted sides, with the former prevailing 50-38 at Occupation Road. The early indications suggest this pair will be seriously competitive this term, with Oundle now two wins from three.
And Canterbury (7th) ended Henley’s (9th) unbeaten start, second-half tries from Muhammad Pangarker, Ryley Thomas and Eoin O’Donoghue securing a battling 22-17 success.
National Two West
Camborne (1st) finally broke their duck at Loughborough Students (13th), winning there for the first time since their 2023 promotion. Hooker Ben Priddey crossed twice in a 43-14 win that keeps Tom Kessell’s side at 100 per cent.
Cinderford (2nd) are also three from three after overcoming Exeter University (7th) 25-12, with former Italy international Jake Polledri among the scorers.
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Hornets’ (5th) unbeaten start was ended by newly promoted Barnstaple (3rd), who blew their visitors away in both the opening stages and either side of half-time to claim a 40-17 win at Pottington Road. Lymm (6th) also suffered their first defeat, rallying late but falling short 26-22 against a powerful Redruth (8th) pack.
Taunton Titans (11th) collected their first win of the campaign with a 41-26 home success over Hinckley (9th), while Chester (10th) also opened their account as No.8 David Jones scored twice in a 20-7 victory over Syston (14th).
Elsewhere, Luctonians (4th) added a second straight win, with their power up front setting the foundations for a 35-7 win against Old Redcliffians (12th).
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