Hartpury head into break at the summit of National One

With just one place for promotion available in National One, it is extremely important to maintain good from across the season if you are to make it into the second tier of English rugby.

So far, Hartpury are doing just that as seven straight wins means they are top heading into November.

Blackheath and Esher are not far behind with Richmond, Ampthill and Rosslyn Park taking a view from a far.

In fact all of the top eight won this weekend in National One and here is a review of all the action.

Hartpury 50-7 Darlington Mowden Park

Hartpury extended their lead at the top of National One to three points with a comprehensive win over Darlington Mowden Park.

Five first half tries from Thomas McDonald, Kai Little, Jonas Mikalcius, Timothy Brockett and Joseph Dancer was a blistering statement to the make by the league leaders who are looking stronger and stronger each week – emphasising that they could well be title favourites at this current moment in time.

Loughborough Students 15-23 Blackheath

Blackheath are second in the table and were made to work for this victory over a spirited Loughborough Students side who did lead at half-time.

The hosts’ try game from flanker Andrew Boyce to give them a 5-0 advantage, but ‘Heath took control in the second half.

11 points from the ever improving boot of Freddie Gabbitass, a Penalty Try and a score from David Allen now leaves Blackheath on the coattails of Hartpury heading into November.

Fylde 21-31 Esher

After two straight wins against Rosslyn Park and Coventry, Fylde were beaten by a strong looking Esher side that are now up to third place in the table.

Esher led early on thanks to a Penalty Try and scores from Ian Kench and Andrew Garner before adding the bonus point before half-time through a Charles Gossington try.

Fylde showed what they were capable of after the break with Robert Stewart and player/coach Paul Arnold both crossing, but Esher continue their impressive recent run which sees them level on points with Blackheath.

Richmond 54-5 Henley Hawks

Richmond just keep on churning out the results as they are now into the top four after a commanding display against Henley Hawks.

The bonus-point was already secured before half-time due to tries from Charles Broughton, Jack Allcock, Christopher Davies and Sebastian Adeniran-Olule before running in a further five tries in the second 40.

Henley have won three games this season, but are still a bonus point win ahead of the relegation zone and will be hoping to end the year strong when they are back in action next weekend.

Wharfedale 12-29 Ampthill and District

After two straight defeats, Ampthill and District picked up a bonus point victory against Wharfedale.

Once more the bonus point was in the bag by 40 minutes as braces from Vilami Ma’si and Elliot Clements-Hill made sure of that.

The hosts had little response to the power the A’s were showing who had Tonga World Cup forward Alex Lutui in their side.  Wharefdale are now just three points clear of danger zone while this win keeps Ampthill in touching distance of the leaders.

Coventry 13-20 Rosslyn Park

Two of the pre-season favourites for the title battled it out at the Butts Park Arena and it was Park who prevailed thanks to tries in the first half from Hugo Ellis and Matthew Hawke.

Ryan Caolan kicked eight points for Coventry during the afternoon with their only try being a Penalty Try midway through the first half.

Thomas Whitley nudged over two second half penalties to make sure of the win for Park who move up to sixth in the table with Coventry now languishing in ninth place.

Hull Ionians 28-3 Blaydon

A much needed solid performance by Hull Ionians saw them pick up all five points over Blaydon who remain bottom of the table.

A first half double from second-row Edward Falkingham gave the I’s a 14-3 lead at the interval. Further tries from Christopher Eggleshaw and Sam Wilson rounded off a good day at the office for the men from Humberside.

Plymouth Albion 27-15 Cinderford

Plymouth Albion continued their good home form with a bonus point win over struggling Cinderford.

The hosts were clinical in the first half as tries from Marc Koteczky and Daniel Collier gave them a 15-3 lead.

Albion were cruising in the second half and secured their bonus point when Ethan Ford and Billy Searle crossed moving them into the top half and 12 points behind the front runners.