National Two South Review: Round 11

This weekend was billed as the biggest yet in National Two South with the top four all facing each other and those games along with the rest in the league, certainly didn’t disappoint.

League leaders Henley Hawks once again came from behind at half-time to show their class and go on to beat Bishop’s Stortford 13-19 at Silver Lays. This win for the Hawks maintains their 100 per cent start to the season. Before the start of play Bishop’s Stortford were fourth and did have a 13-5 lead at half-time. In the final five minutes the scores were tied at 13-13, but two penalties secured victory for Henley. The hosts certainly deserved a losing bonus point based on the balance of play and they remain in the top four.

Dorking just won’t lie down as they continue to chase Henley’s lead and got an all-important 14-21 victory away at Taunton on Saturday. Taunton played Henley Hawks last weekend so this wasn’t much easier for the hosts who have now lost all of their matches against the other current top four sides this season. Dorking continued their impressive unbeaten away record with this win and have now won their last ten matches overall. Their only defeat was against Henley on the opening day of the season.

The top four’s tight and tense affairs were passed down to fifth placed Chinnor whose five game winning streak was halted by Canterbury who won 23-22. Canterbury will thank full-back Martyn Beaumont as he scored two wonderful tries to seal their third victory of the season which lifted them out of the relegation zone. It was a much needed win for the Canterbury who were taught a lesson last week by Dorking. Also they managed to turn around a nine point deficit at half-time against Chinnor who entered this game as one of the form sides in the division. The visitors stay fifth after this defeat.

Old Elthamians bounced back after their defeat last Saturday to Chinnor as they claimed a 38-18 win over Lyndey. This was the host’s first win since the 18th October after three straight defeats and only their third win in the league at home this season. As for Lydney, it was their fifth straight away defeat of the campaign and they are now 14th in the league. Old Elthamians are now just a point behind Chinnor.

Redruth returned to winning ways on Saturday after two straight defeats as they scored five tries against bottom club Dings Crusaders to win 36-25, but were made to work hard for the victory. It was another five points on the board for The Reds, but yet again the visitors put in a performance which didn’t warrant their league position as the lead changed hands six times in this superb match. Steve Larkins, Redruth’s Head Coach said: “We defended better in the second half and our attack looks really good. All credit to Dings they stuck at it and gave us a few worrying moments but I felt it was always there for us. We didn’t really get the rewards we deserved for our dominance at the scrum but they have some class, experienced players who bring their other players into the game.” Redruth remain seventh as the middle of the table continues to be tight and the Dings Crusaders stay bottom with only one win to their name.

Like Old Elthamians and Redruth, Worthing Raiders hit back with a win after losing their last match and they did it in style as they saw off Shelford 41-13. The hosts pace and experience in National One was key to them condemning Shelford to their heaviest away defeat of the season so far. Worthing are now just one point behind Redruth with Shelford looking to put their campaign back on track in the next coming weeks before the Christmas break as they lie in 15th position.

Into the bottom half and we focus on Cambridge who, other than the top two sides, have the best recent form in the league as they made it three wins on the spin with a narrow 32-31 win over the Cornish All Blacks. Cambridge’s Gerhard Boshoff clinched the win with the final kick of the game in this enthralling encounter at Volac Park. The hosts are now just a win and a bonus point outside the top six with the All Blacks now in 13th after this heart-breaking defeat.

Finally, it was supposed to be a mid-table matchup as Clifton hosted Southend Saxons, but in the end the home side romped to victory winning 51-18.  Last season’s game ended 19-18 to Clifton and after a close opening half an hour it looked like it could be a similar result.  But, Clifton then put their foot down and raced to their fifth win of the season against a fragile Southend defence.  This was Clifton’s first home win in nearly two months. Southend have now lost their last two and drop down to 12th in the division.