National One: the Halfway Point

GAME OF THE WEEK….

Rosslyn Park 16 Ealing 17

The heavyweight clash of the weekend was a heated affair from start to finish with three yellow cards being shown in the game.  The win means Trailfinders now have a four point lead at the summit of the table yet third place Coventry did make ground on them following their bonus point victory away to Blackheath. The match won in extra time as the referee adjudged Rosslyn Park to have intentionally collapsed the Ealing Maul and as a result he awarded the penalty try. Ben Ward kept his cool to add the extras to win the game. The kick sparked wild celebrations, which links back to the importance of the win for the visitors, especially following their narrow defeat on the road against Coventry in their last away outing,

WE WERE THERE….

Fylde 40 Richmond 33

Talking Rugby Union were down at Woodlands this past weekend for an epic contest between Fylde and Richmond, but it was the hosts who came out 40-33 winners after a last penalty try (two games decided by them in one week, unusual!). Visiting Richmond have been an exciting team all season and they came out all guns blazing to race into a 19-0 lead but some dynamic attacking rugby ensured the Lancastrians struck back to be level at the break. Two more tries a piece in the second half and the game evenly poised at 33-33 until with six minutes to go Rob Kirby was penalised for a deliberate knock on and the penalty try was awarded. The game was overall a tremendous advert for National League 1 with both sides going hammer and tongs to try get the victory.

We caught up with a few players after the game…

Charismatic Fylde coach and forward Paul Arnold came off the bench carrying a dead leg to score a crucial try for the Lancastrians and he  told Talking Rugby Union: “It was one of them games where I could get through it with an injury, so if needed I could come into it, so with it tight at one point I came onto it and with my first touch I was putting it down under the sticks which was a dream start.

He added: “We played a bit frantic at times, give them a 19 point lead but the boys regrouped and we got back into are rhythm, back into our game-plan and in the end go a good victory.”

Despite the disappointing ending to the game Richmond’s Joe Burton remained gracious in defeat.

He said: “We have to be happy to take away two points from Fylde as this is one of the toughest places to come in National 1 for sure.

He added: “I am bit disappointed to give away 40 points in defense, that is never good and we will need to work on that for next weeks game.” 

ELSEWHERE

Blackheath 12 Coventry 36

Coventry secured maximum points again when they overcame Blackheath. The hosts were just two points adrift on the hour mark and seemingly had the momentum but following an injury break Cov replacement Dan Rundle broke through and released Rob Knox for what was a crucial score. Rundle then crossed over himself to secure the bonus point before Sam Pailor added further gloss to the result.

Blaydon 20 Hartypury College 25

Hartpury College overcame Blaydon at Crow-Trees for a fourth away victory of season. The victory also meant the College made it back-to-back wins after they had found it tough in recent times. The game, which was close throughout, was won by a few key moments and the one that proved was most pivotal was when the hosts found themselves down to 13 due a shortage of props. In due course this cost them as desperate defending led to indiscipline and this allowed Mitch Burton to kick two crucial penalties.

Cinderford 42 Macclesfield 5

Both these sides are at the wrong end of the table but it was CInderford- who only narrowly avoid the drop last season – who came out worthy winners. The hosts never looked back from just three minutes in as Sam Hanks touched down. Further tries from George Evans, George Mills, Sam Wilkes and a brace from Alex Frame meant there was only one winner.

Loughborough Students 32 Tynedale 3

The students were 3-0 down after an uneventful first half but came back to win easy come full time. Five second half tries did the damage to make it back-to-back home wins for the students while Tynedale have now lost 5 in a row, conceding a stunning 246 points in the process.

Old Albanians 29 Darlington Mowden Park 21

The hosts held on to take the spoils against Darlington in war of attrition at The Woolhams. Both teams showed great endeavour in the game but it was OA who raced 29-7 in front. Two late tries from DMP's James Barnard and Rob Conquest narrowed the gap but unluckily left the visitors frustratingly one point short of getting a losing bonus point and meant they would be heading back to the north-east empty handed..

Wharfedale vs. Esher

POSTPONED