National Two South: The complete season's review

It has been one of the most action-packed National Two seasons to date. We had title races go down to the wire, while any number of sides could have been relegated from both leagues on the final day.

Once again, this year has been a superb advert for National Two rugby and here is all the reaction from a dramatic season and tense last round of fixtures.

National Two South Review

There were two major outcomes which needed to be settled heading into the final weekend of the season in National Two South.

Firstly, who would secure the play-off spot to take on Hull Ionians or Ampthill and District for a place in National One and which one of Southend Saxons and Lyndey would join Shelford and Dings Crusaders back in National Three?

Henley Hawks had wrapped up the title weeks ago and will be in National One next season, but it was underneath them where all the drama was sparking into life.

All season, Dorking had looked like they would finish second behind Henley, but a poor second half of the campaign opened the door for the likes of Bishop’s Stortford and Taunton to push for that all important play-off place.

And that’s exactly what they did. Stortford entered the final day of the season in second – two points clear of Taunton whilst Dorking lay in fourth place.

Stortford knew a win against ninth placed Cornish All Blacks would give them second place and there was no slip up at Silver Lays as they won 31-24.

Taunton did their job with a 30-20 win over a very impressive Cambridge side with Dorking beating Henley 34-41 away from home, but both results weren’t enough. Stortford now know their opponents in the play-off  will be Ampthill and District which is set to be an enthralling match.

Down at the other end of the table, Shelford and Dings Crusaders were already relegated and before the start of play last Saturday, it was a straight shootout for National Two survival between Lyndey and Southend Saxons.

Lydney needed a bonus point win over Shelford and knew Southend Saxons had to avoid picking up a single point away at Redruth for Lydney to survive.

Lyndey fought extremely hard and grinded out a 24-26 bonus point win, but they were to be denied their National Two survival in heartbreaking fashion as Southend clinched a losing bonus point at Redruth in their 18-16 defeat.

This meant both sides finished level on points, but due to Southend winning one more game than Lydney this season, it was the Seasiders who stayed in this division.

National Two Playoff

So we know it will be Ampthill and District v Bishops Stortford for a place in National One next season.

This is a local derby for the promotion prize and the A’s have stated that this Saturday will be their biggest game in their history.

The home side will be Ampthill who have had a tremendous season. They just missed out on the title by three points but won 27 out of their 30 matches and finished with a 100 per cent home record. A daunting prospect awaits Stortford.

Ampthill ended the campaign on a mammoth 131 points and have won their last 10 matches, with one defeat in their last 14 games.

In terms of Stortford, they finished the year with 20 wins from 30 matches, they clocked up 112 points and intriguingly they picked up the most bonus points between both National Two leagues (30).

They are unbeaten in their last 10 matches securing nine wins in that time. They lost six times away from home this season, but haven’t lost on the road since January.

In recent times, Ampthill have just about had the upper end in these encounters winning three of the last six matches, drawing one with Stortford claiming two victories. Last time the sides met Ampthill won 41-22 on home soil, with Stortford’s last win at Ampthill coming in April 2012.

National Three South Promotions

Going up to National Two South automatically are Bury St Edmunds from National Three London & South East whilst The Redingensians comfortably secured their place in National Two next season as they won the National Three South West title.

It was then between Exmouth (from Nat 3 SW) and Barnes (from Nat 3 London &SE) for a place in National Two South.

Before the game Exmouth had lost just once at home throughout the campaign and Barnes had lost just once in 13 matches which meant we would be in for a thrilling contest.

And it lived up to expectations with Barnes sealing their place in National Two with an extra-time 22-27 victory.

Exmouth had led 15-0 at half-time, but Barnes scored three unanswered tries to give them a 15-19 lead midway through the second period.

Exmouth them fought back and earned a converted penalty try to give them a three point lead, but with just minutes remaining on the clock, Barnes slotted over a penalty to send the final into extra time.

The decisive moment came when Barnes won turnover ball and James Greenwood rounded off a breakaway move to secure Barnes National Two rugby next season.