National One: Rosslyn Park go top as Ampthill drop points

Week four saw  Rosslyn Park go top as Ampthill and District lost their 100 per cent start to the season, but they remain unbeaten. 

Elsewhere, Blackheath and Richmond were victorious while Loughborough Students and Cinderford both got their first wins of the season. Here is a round-up of all the action from week four in National One.

Hull Ionians 26-44 Rosslyn Park

A bonus point victory at Hull Ionians saw Rosslyn Park move to the top of the league as well as making it four wins from four so far this season.

This was a difficult place for Park to go considering the I’s had won their last 17 matches at Brantingham Park before this encounter.

A brace of tries from backrowers Hugo Ellis and Ed Milne were key in this victory for Rosslyn who were ahead throughout this match.

The hosts threatened towards the end, but Milne’s second and two penalties from Thomas Whiteley secured the victory and sent out a real message to the rest of the division. If they weren’t one of the favourites for the title and promotion before the start of the season, Park certainly are now.

Ampthill and District 14-14 Henley Hawks

Rosslyn Park leapfrogged Ampthill into top spot as the A’s drew to fellow newcomers Henley Hawks. Ampthill went up via the National Two play-off last season while the Hawks won the National Two South title in quite convincing fashion.

This was a disjointed contest with penalties being the order of the day. The away side sealed the draw thanks to nine points from the boot of James Comben and a try from Jacob Albon after yellow cards to Ampthill’s Brian Tuilagi and Karmin Lynch.

Ampthill are now just one point behind Rosslyn.

Hartpury College 30-13 Esher

Hartpury College made it three straight wins with victory at home to Esher. The game belonged to full-back Gareth Thompson who amazingly scored all 30 of Hartpury’s points including three tries and three penalties.

This was certainly a deserved win for the home side, but they may be slightly disappointed they were unable to secure the bonus point.

Blackheath 23-7 Darlington Mowden Park

Blackheath also made it three wins in a row as they comfortably ran out winners against Darlington Mowden Park. Tries from Geoff Griffiths, Jack Walsh and David Allen with four points coming from Freddie Gabbitass put the hosts 20-0 ahead by half-time.

Despite this, they couldn’t find that final cutting edge to secure them a bonus point while DMP are starting to find life tough once again in National One.

Richmond 31-7 Coventry

Richmond moved up to fifth in the table as they beat Coventry who have now lost their last two matches. 

Two penalty tries and a score from Adam Gadsby gave Richmond a 19-0 half-time advantage as ill-discipline for Coventry cost them. Three yellow cards were shown in the first 40 to Matthew Price, Thomas Poole and Samuel Pailor.

Coventry responded after the break with a try by Scott Hamilton, but they went on to drop the ball twice over the line which cost them a losing bonus point. A bad day at the office for Coventry who are now seven points off the leaders.

Plymouth Albion 31-24 Fylde

Plymouth Albion made it two home wins from two with this victory over Fylde. Albion haven’t found it easy on their travels since relegation from the IPA Championship, but their new squad is starting to gel and importantly, they are performing well on home soil.

Tries from Marc Koteczky and Nile Decres as well as 13 points from the boot of Thomas Putt gave them a 23-10 lead at half-time.

Fylde did hit back in the second period, but a yellow card to No.8 David Fairbrother allowed Albion’s Michael Stupple to wrap up proceedings 12 minutes from time.

Wharfedale 27-33 Cinderford

In one of the shocks of the weekend, Cinderford came away with their first victory of the season from Wharfedale.

Fly-half Callum Sheedy kicked 13 vital points for the away side while a double from Samuel Hanks and tries from Robert Winchie David McGregor gave them this victory. Wharfedale only managed to convert one of their five tries which proved to be the difference in the end.

Loughborough Students 36-7 Blaydon

And the surprises didn’t stop there as Loughborough Students picked up their first win against an out of form Blaydon side. Three first half tries from William Edwards and a brace from Joss Linney set the Students on their way to victory.

The win means Loughborough moves ahead of Blaydon whose miserable season continues as they are now bottom of National One.