The Preview: Different goals and plenty to play for as the opening block draws to a close
And just like that, we reach the final weekend of the opening block of the National League Rugby season, with sides across the divisions looking to maintain momentum or gain a timely boost. (Photo Credit: Gary Brown)
National One
The world will have felt like a better place for London Scottish (11th) and their supporters this week.
A second win of the campaign will have lifted some of the gathering clouds over the Richmond Athletic Ground, as Joe Gray’s side beat Sheffield 64-40 in Round Six.
Listening to CEO Nick Grecian on Scottish’s excellent social media docuseries ‘Restoring The Pride’, it is clear just how tough the Exiles have found their opening weeks in National One.
With Gray set to move on to Harlequins to become their Lead Transition Coach, Grecian admitted the news “couldn’t have come at a less convenient time” for the club, while recognising what a fantastic opportunity it presents for their current boss.
An indication of who might replace Gray has also emerged. Grecian revealed the club are considering five Scottish-born coaches, with one – who “has played at very high level” – currently at the top of their list.
For now, though, speculation can wait. Scottish have a mouthwatering derby to prepare for, with a trip to Rosslyn Park (7th) offering the chance to build on last weekend’s victory.
Both sides will want the bragging rights, but the result matters just as much as the first portion of the season comes to a close.
Park have not been shy about building up the fixture. Their social media channels have highlighted the connections between the clubs, with current players Rory Jennings, Joe Luca-Smith and Rhys Charalambous among those to have represented Scottish.
The hosts are also beginning to steady themselves after back-to-back wins. Welcoming their neighbours from just down the road for the first time in 16 years, Park will be determined to finish the opening block with another victory.
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Cambridge (14th) would love to do the same, as the Blood and Sand continue to search for their first win since coming down from Champ Rugby – as well as their first victory since December 2024.
After a chastening afternoon at Plymouth Albion in Round Five, Cambridge were at least able to take positives from another defeat last Saturday.
At full-time at Ellgia Fields, the scoreline read 59-26 to Camborne, but boss Craig Newby admitted he is “sick of judging the score”. His focus is now on taking the positives from that performance and ensuring his side “sharpen up on their basic skills”.
Round Seven sees them travel to Sheffield (13th), who face one of the sides relegated from the Champ for the second week running.
Anthony Posa’s troops battled back to 45-40 against London Scottish before falling to a 64-40 defeat last time out. After successive away trips, the Steel City outfit return to Abbeydale Park, where they have won 23 of their last 24 games, aiming for a second victory of the campaign.
Fellow newly promoted side Bury St Edmunds (12th) – who complete the early bottom three alongside Cambridge and Sheffield – also return home to face Birmingham Moseley (8th), while four of the current top six collide to conclude the first block of the season.
Camborne (3rd) welcome Sale FC (4th) to Cornwall, seemingly enjoying every minute of their maiden National One campaign.
Tom Kessell and Ricky Pellow’s side have won five of their first six matches, four of them away from home. Welcoming Sale to The Recreation Ground will provide another test of Camborne’s growing credentials.
For Sale, it is another clash against a top-five side following recent games against Tonbridge Juddians, Leeds Tykes and Plymouth Albion. Jonathan Keep’s men will make the 678-mile round trip looking for a fourth away success of the season.
Over in Yorkshire, Leeds Tykes (5th) entertain Bishop’s Stortford (6th) after another storming second-half display in Round Six.
The Tykes trailed Dings Crusaders 21-7 at half-time before powering to a 45-30 win. Stortford’s own second-half surge nearly ended the unbeaten start of second-placed Tonbridge Juddians, but Tom Coleman’s side were edged out 36-32.
With three wins apiece, both sides will be eager to enter the second segment of the season with the top three still firmly in their sights.
Ahead of the chasing pack, Plymouth Albion (1st) and Tonbridge Juddians (2nd) have seemingly held a strong grip on the top two places from the outset. Both will be keen to remain there heading into the break.
Six bonus-point wins each leaves them five points clear of Camborne, with Dings Crusaders (10th) and Rams (9th) looking to upset the odds in Round Seven.
Dings travel to Plymouth aiming to become just the second side to win at Brickfields in nearly 19 months. Rams, meanwhile, head to The Slade hoping to draw inspiration from their last visit to TJs, when they fought back from 26-7 down to snatch a thrilling 35-33 win.
National Two North
Following the gloom of relegation, Sedgley Park (1st) are setting the standard in National Two North.
With six bonus-point wins from six, more points scored than any other side in National League Rugby, and a four-point lead at the top, Scott Barrow’s side could hardly have asked for a better response to dropping down from National One.
Three thumping wins over Otley, Huddersfield and Billingham – with 35 tries scored across those fixtures – have set the tone ahead of their final game of the first block against new boys Heath (8th).
Facing the Tigers looks a daunting prospect, but Heath will head to Park Lane in good spirits after an encouraging start to life at Level Four.
Thirteen points from their opening six matches have put Chris Johnson’s side in mid-table, with last weekend’s 49-24 victory over Huddersfield a particular highlight.
Heath will be well aware of what Sedgley did to Huddersfield a fortnight ago (a 92-7 win), but can take confidence from having been competitive in most of their games so far.
Darlington Mowden Park (2nd) are now Sedgley Park’s nearest challengers as Neil Young and Darren Fearn’s side continue to gather momentum.
The North-East outfit have won five on the bounce and have looked in complete control throughout, not least in their 72-0 mauling of Harrogate in Round Six.
Next to try and halt them are Wharfedale (12th), whose own positive momentum stalled last weekend.
A number of injuries sustained in their Round Five loss to Hull Ionians may have taken their toll as Dale lost to the previously winless Sheffield Tigers at The Avenue.
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Simon Verbickas and his coaches will hope for better news from the treatment room as they prepare for the DMP challenge.
Chester (4th) are growing into this season nicely, typified by last week’s surging second-half display that ended Hull Ionians’ perfect start.
Rhys Hayes’ side scored five tries in a match-defining 20-minute spell to clinch a 69-45 win and a fifth victory from their opening six matches.
The Cheshire outfit sit just one point off the top two and travel to Sheffield Tigers (11th), who will be buoyed by finally getting off the mark at Wharfedale last Saturday.
That result lifted the Tigers to 11th, while Huddersfield (14th) slipped to the foot of the table after their defeat at Heath.
After two bruising away games, Callum Thompson’s side return to Lockwood Park to face Fylde (10th), who will also be looking to finish a difficult opening block on a positive note.
Elsewhere, Preston Grasshoppers (5th) welcome Billingham (9th) to Lightfoot Green.
Dan Orwin’s side bounced back from successive defeats with a strong final 25-minute display to beat Otley 47-38 last time out. Billingham, meanwhile, will be looking to respond after a tough 73-12 loss to Sedgley Park.
Up in the North-East, Tynedale (6th) are slowly warming to the season after three successive victories. Peter Southern’s side will look to extend that run when they host Harrogate (7th).
Finally, Otley (13th) were due to visit Hull Ionians (3rd), but the fixture has been postponed following an outbreak of scrum pox, a highly contagious skin infection, which has required a number of Otley’s players to isolate.
National Two East
While we have shone a light on the perfect records of Oundle, Old Albanian and Guernsey in recent weeks – with the latter two now having lost theirs – Esher (3rd) have increasingly made their presence felt towards the top of National Two East.
After flirting with relegation last term, Liam Slatem and Mike Brown’s side look like a strong force this season, having won five of their first six matches.
Their late surge in last week’s 52-26 victory over London Welsh leaves them level on points with second-placed Old Albanian as they prepare to visit Guernsey Raiders (4th).
Esher’s slickness and speed of ball were on full display in the final 25 minutes last weekend, and they will be keen to maintain that tempo against a Guernsey side looking for a reaction.
The Raiders’ 100 per cent start was ended by Dorking in Round Six, but it has still been an excellent opening to the campaign for Jordan Reynolds’ side.
Guernsey and Esher finished 10th and 11th respectively last season, both ending on 62 points. This term, both have made stronger starts, but who will claim a sixth victory on Saturday?
The current top two, Oundle (1st) and Old Albanian (2nd), are both on the road in Round Seven. Oundle travel to London Welsh (11th), while Old Albanian visit Henley (8th).
Oundle are one of four teams across National League Rugby yet to drop a point and, on paper, they will be favourites to continue their imperious form at Old Deer Park.
Speaking to the club’s channels this week, London Welsh’s Max Bodilly admitted his side needs to find more consistency as they search for their first win since the opening day. That was clear against Esher in Round Six, when Welsh were level at 26-26 on 52 minutes before losing by 26 points.
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Old Albanian, meanwhile, emphatically returned to winning ways last weekend, beating Jersey 57-24. On the flip side, Henley boss Luke Allen was left “hurt” and disappointed by his side’s 26-17 defeat at Colchester, particularly after their Round Five win over Leicester Lions.
The Hawks now return to Dry Leas after successive away trips, aiming to maintain an unbeaten home record that stretches back to January. Coincidentally, their last defeat on their own patch came against Old Albanian.
As mentioned earlier, Dorking (5th) ended Guernsey’s perfect start in Round Six with a determined performance at The Big Field. Armand Roux’s in-form side now head to Jersey (12th) looking for a fifth successive win.
Their hosts return to the island after losing to Old Albanian, but will be keen to conclude their first block back at Level Four with consecutive home wins.
Myles Landick’s side sit just one point clear of the automatic relegation places, currently occupied by Westcombe Park (13th) and Leicester Lions (14th).
Westcombe Park showed some encouraging signs during their 38-19 defeat away to leaders Oundle last week. Dom Saunders’ injury-hit squad will look to build on those positives as they target their first win since Round One against Havant (10th).
Similarly, Leicester Lions can take encouragement from an improved Round Six display against Canterbury despite losing 34-31. Tom Varndell’s side now welcome Colchester (7th) to the Midlands, with the visitors arriving in good spirits.
Two seasons ago, Colchester won just three times across the campaign. Mike Haywood’s side have already matched that tally before the end of the first block and will be eager to add another victory in Round Seven.
Finally, Barnes (9th) and Canterbury (6th) meet in the capital after both secured wins last weekend.
After a tough opening run and four consecutive defeats, Jack Heald’s Barnes secured a much-needed 44-29 victory at Havant. They will now look to back it up against a Canterbury outfit targeting a third straight win.
National Two West
In recent weeks, National Two West has delivered a series of intriguing battles near the top, and Round Seven brings two more as the first block of the season draws to a close.
No side has managed to halt the charge of Redruth (1st) thus far, who head into the weekend as the division’s only unbeaten team.
Their superb display against Hornets last time out was another eye-catching result for Richie Kevern’s side, who have now opened up a three-point lead at the summit.
Redruth finish the first portion of the term away at Lymm (6th), who have won all three of their home matches so far.
The early signs have been encouraging for Andy Davies’ side, but they will be itching to respond after a tough 59-12 defeat at Taunton last time out.
The North-West outfit did beat Redruth in this corresponding fixture last season, winning 36-31 thanks to a late Cormac Nolan try. A repeat would leave the picture at the top finely poised heading into the rest weekend.
Lymm remain part of a congested chasing pack behind Redruth, which also includes Hinckley (3rd) and Taunton (2nd), who meet in another tasty-looking contest.
This should be anything but low-key at Leicester Road, with visitors Taunton getting straight back on the horse following their loss against Redruth.
In Round Six, they brutally punished some uncharacteristic errors from Lymm to earn a nine-try win, while Hinckley made it five straight bonus-point victories with a pleasing 38-19 success at bottom-of-the-table Exeter University.
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The clubs finished third and fourth respectively last term, and with just one point separating them currently, a sixth victory for either on Saturday would strengthen their early-season credentials.
Luctonians (4th) will be out for a response after seeing their winning start come to an end in Round Six.
Lucs lost 50-31 away at Loughborough Students and will want to bounce back immediately when they host Bournville (12th) at Mortimer Park.
The newly promoted visitors have just one win to their name, but the Chocos’ character has shone through on their return to Level Four. They will need that resilience again if they are to enjoy a positive afternoon in Herefordshire.
Fifth-placed Clifton (5th) – level on 25 points with Luctonians and third-placed Hinckley – will target a sixth win from their opening seven games when they host Devonport Services (13th).
Injuries have not helped the visitors settle back into National Two West, but Ben Russell’s men have shown plenty of grit and determination in their search for a first win.
That was evident against Old Redcliffians at The Rectory last week, when they fought back to 19-19 before falling to a 33-19 defeat in the final 13 minutes. They will need to dig deep again against a Clifton side who look sharp.
Exeter University (14th) also continue to search for their first victory and travel to Cinderford (8th) in Round Seven.
Meanwhile, Barnstaple (11th) – who beat Cinderford 34-22 last Saturday – will look to add to that much-needed home win when they visit Old Redcliffians (7th), who have won their last two matches.
Finally, Loughborough Students (9th) will look to build on their impressive Round Six victory over Luctonians when they travel to Hornets (10th).
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