National Two South: Taunton return to the top after Cambridge drop points

Cambridge were knocked off top spot this weekend as they were held to a draw allowing Taunton Titians to move back to the summit of National Two South after a four week absence.

The Old Albanian also took advantage of Cambridge’s slip up as they move up to second while Clifton put a marker down for the rest of the season with victory over Bishops Stortford.

Elsewhere, bottom club Launceston ended a nine game losing run with a draw against Southend while there were wins for Bury St Edmunds, Dorking and Worthing Raiders.

Taunton Titans 19-16 Redruth

Taunton moved back to the top of National Two South thanks to a narrow victory at home to Redruth.

Two first half tries from Jack Claydon gave the Titans the edge as David Mankee nudged over three penalties to keep the visitors in touch.

With a 12-9 lead at half-time, Taunton kept Redruth at bay for the majority of the second half and a Penalty Try on the hour mark stretched their advantage further.

However, when Ashley Lawton touched down with 10 minutes to go for Redruth, it set up a tense finale, but the home side held on to continue their impressive form at Hyde Park.

Canterbury 19-23 Old Albanian

The Old Albanian are up to second in the table as they edged out Canterbury who have now lost their last seven matches.

The OA’s led 7-18 at half-time in the south-east thanks to tries from James Spiers and Ross Hamilton as well as the kicking of Max Malins.

Tyler Best’s converted try was the only score for Canterbury in the first period, but it was first blood to the City Men in the second half when Mason Rosvall crossed.

But Malins wrapped up the game three minutes from time for as he went over for the OA’s before Harry Sayers secured a losing bonus point for Canterbury.

Old Elthamians 14-14 Cambridge

Cambridge have slid down to third in table after they were left frustrated against an in-form Old Elthamians side who secured a draw thanks to a late try from Lee Nelmes.

The away side took a 6-14 lead into the break after tries from Lawrence Hutchinson and Benjamin Adams were both converted.

Two Thomas White penalties just before half-time were vital for the Old Elthamians who fought their way back into the encounter as Cambridge failed to add to their 14 points in the second period.

Brett Daynes was yellow-carded on 68 minutes for Cambridge and White again proved he was accurate from the tee as he slotted over his third penalty of the afternoon four minutes later.

And with just a minute remaining on the clock Nelmes barged his way over to seal two points for the OE’s who remain unbeaten at home this season.

Clifton 20-17 Bishops Stortford

A Daniel Wells penalty clinched victory for Clifton over Bishops Stortford to highlight once again the great start the home side have had to this campaign.

After finishing 12^th last season, Clifton are now sitting in 4^th after this latest win, but they were behind at half-time as Thomas Coleman and Wilson Baxter dotted down for Stortford.

But the second-half was dominated by Clifton as Alfie Toola Vaeluaga and Joseph Quinn crossed for converted tries to give their side a 14-12 advantage,

Wells knocked over a penalty to stretch Clifton’s lead, but when Nicholas Hankin touched down on 67 minutes, the scores were level once again.

But it was Clifton who would have the final say as Wells held his nerve to coolly slot over another penalty to seal the win.

Launceston 17-17 Southend Saxons

Launceston’s nine game losing run came to an end on Saturday as they drew with Southend at home, but were they were denied their first victory of the season due to a late try from Craig Strachen.

The hosts were 5-3 ahead at half-time through James Salter’s try with Bradley Burr nailing a penalty for Southend.

But the game was level on 58 minutes as Launceston’s Daniel Lee crossed for Launceston before Southend’s Jack Daley got his try as he pounced on a loose ball.

Launceston’s score was then boosted by Eddie McGinley who touched down for an unconverted try in the 67th minute.

The home side kept the pressure on as they searched for their fourth try but with three minutes to go, Southend replacement Craig Strachan went over. The pressure was on Burr to make the conversion and equalise and he wasn’t fazed by the task as he passed it with flying colours.

Barnes 19-21 Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds secured a narrow win as Barnes came away with a losing bonus point in this fixture which involved two of the newly promoted sides.

Tom O’Toole’s penalty gave Barnes an early lead, but Bury responded with an Adam Marshall try and a Penalty Try after Ciaran Smyth was sin-binned for the hosts.

Sean Stapleton was yellow-carded after the break for Bury and O’Toole took advantage as he slotted over his second penalty of the afternoon.

And as soon a Stapleton had returned to the field Samuel Bixby was then in the sin bin and once again, Barnes punished their opponents.

They were awarded a Penalty Try before Smyth dotted down on 66 minutes to make the score 18-21, but Bury held on for victory.

Redingensians 19-20 Dorking

Dorking made it two wins in their last three matches as they came from behind to beat the Redingensians at Old Bath Road.

Three James Brooks penalties and a try from Daniel Barnes gave the Redingensians a 16-3 half-time lead with Matthew Noble landing the only points for Dorking in the first period.

Dorking’s comeback began just two minutes into the second half as Cameron Pimlow darted over, but Brooks slotted over his fourth penalty on 49 minutes.

The away side responded to that well as Noble replied with an instant penalty before Matthew Higgins burrowed his way for a converted try on 72 minutes to give his side the lead and ultimately clinch the win.

Worthing Raiders 23-15 Chinnor

Worthing ended a five game losing run with victory at home against Chinnor.

The hosts were behind after solid first-half display from Chinnor with Kieron Goss and Benjamin Manning both crossing and Greig Goofellow kicking a penalty and a conversion.

Arthur James touched down for Worthing on the stroke of half-time and two penalties from Sean O’Hagan after the break gave the home side a 16-15 lead and from there, they controlled the final quarter of the match.

Matthew McLean touched down for Worthing’s second try on 63 minutes and Chinnor just couldn’t find a way through as Worthing sealed a much needed win.