Fixture list sets up fascinating conclusion to first block of National League games
Hull meet Scunthorpe in an early battle of the bottom two in National Two North
©David Winn
As National League Rugby prepares for a brief pause after this weekend, Round Eight promises plenty of talking points as we head into the next block of the season.
National One
For Leicester Lions (14th) boss Gareth Collins, the signs of progress were beginning to show.
After going pointless in their opening three games, the Midlands club displayed steady improvements and in Round Seven, their efforts were rewarded with a first win of the season.
A 35-31 triumph over Sale FC finally got the Lions off the mark, and now the Westleigh Park outfit will hope to build momentum either side of the November break.
Their next three games come against the teams directly above them in the table, starting with a trip to 11th-placed Leeds Tykes.
After a tricky start to life back in National One, Pete Seabourne’s troops have kick-started their campaign with excellent back-to-back victories over Clifton and Bishop’s Stortford and will be eager to make it three in a row.
Coincidentally, Clifton (12th) and Bishop’s Stortford (13th) also lock horns this weekend. The Lavender and Blacks will be aiming to add to their solitary win from late September, while Stortford continue to battle through injuries but will go in search of their first victory since the opening round.
With just two points separating the bottom four, it feels like opportunity knocks in Round Eight.
Meanwhile, six of the top seven sides go head-to-head this weekend.
Rosslyn Park climbed to first last week and hold a one-point advantage over Rotherham. The league leaders visit sixth-placed Sale FC on Saturday, while the Titans - who suffered their first loss of the term at Dings Crusaders in Round Seven - will be looking to bounce back when they host Tonbridge Juddians (7th).
Elsewhere, Round Eight features a battle between third and fifth as Rams (3rd) - who continue to go about their business efficiently - host Blackheath (5th) at Old Bath Road. The visitors will be aiming to respond after last weekend’s away defeat to Birmingham Moseley.
That leaves fourth-placed Plymouth Albion as the outlier in the top-half showdowns. In a change to the usual schedule, Ryan Lamb’s side will host Birmingham Moseley (10th) under the lights at Brickfields on Saturday evening.
And elsewhere, Dings Crusaders (9th), buoyed by ending Rotherham’s perfect start in Round Seven, travel to Sedgley Park (8th) for an intriguing mid-table clash.
National Two North
Credit must go to our secretary - albeit unintentionally - for crafting a fixture list that, much like National One, sees Round Eight in National Two North packed with top-of-the-table clashes and pivotal battles at the bottom.
Let’s begin at the foot of the table where Hull (13th) and Scunthorpe (14th) meet at the Ferrens Ground.
The last fortnight has been tough for both sides. Hull, whose only win came in Round Five against Billingham, have conceded 137 points - albeit against two of the current top three - while winless Scunthorpe leaked 119 points in defeats against Preston Grasshoppers and Fylde, respectively.
Yet, there are glimmers of encouragement. Last week, Hull trailed just 17-13 at half-time against table-toppers Sheffield before the game slipped away, while Scunthorpe were only 38-27 down at home to Fylde (5th) with 10 minutes remaining before they fell to a 45-27 defeat - their seventh consecutive loss.
Without a doubt, this clash in Yorkshire represents a pivotal opportunity for both sides ahead of the November break, a sentiment echoed further north where Billingham (10th) host Sheffield Tigers (12th) in another key fixture.
Billingham return to Greenwood Road looking to replicate their last home outing - which garnered their second victory of the season - while yet again, Sheffield Tigers showed fight and character in defeat in Round Seven.
Stephen Roberts’ troops were 37-12 down away at Otley with just over 20 minutes remaining, but managed to pull it back to 37-36. However, they fell just short once again so this young Tigers outfit will hope a complete performance and a second triumph of the term isn’t too far away.
At the right end of the table, the top six all clash this weekend, with league leaders Sheffield aiming for an eighth successive maximum when they visit third-placed Macclesfield.
Anthony Posa’s side sit four points clear after a flawless opening block and, following an away win at Fylde in Round Six, they now face another test of their title credentials in Cheshire.
Macclesfield will be pleased with their strong start, having won six of seven, but a victory over Sheffield would certainly alter the dynamic at the summit heading into November.
Second-placed Darlington Mowden Park travel to Hull Ionians (6th), aware of the challenge posed by their hosts. DMP are on a five-match winning streak, while Hull Ionians have strung together back-to-back victories, including ending Tynedale’s perfect record in Round Six.
Speaking of Tynedale (4th), they visit Fylde (5th) after both sides returned to winning ways last time out.
Keeping in line with the pattern of the weekend in National Two North, seventh plays eighth, with Wharfedale (7th) travelling to Preston Grasshoppers (8th) while Otley (9th) go to Rossendale (11th).
National Two East
When one of your tries racks up over 35,000 views on Instagram, you know you’re doing something right - and that’s exactly the feeling Old Albanian (1st) must be enjoying right now.
The latest highlight came during their Round Seven win over Canterbury as a superbly constructed try, finished by winger Jonathan Ilori, underscored the side’s impressive early-season form.
That form has seen James Osborn and Dan George’s team top the table by four points as the league heads towards the November interlude.
Next up for OAs is a meeting with third-placed Oundle at Woollams - a fixture that promises an intriguing clash of styles.
While OAs have dazzled, Oundle boast a pack which is proving to be a formidable weapon.
Their size and power were on full display during a narrow 22-19 victory over Dorking in Round Seven so if Oundle’s forwards, along with the rest of their talented squad, can disrupt the league leaders’ flow, they could become just the second team in 2025 to leave St Albans with the spoils.
Old Albanian’s closest challengers remain Barnes (2nd), who, following last week’s away win at Esher, will be aiming to back that up when Sevenoaks (11th) travel into the capital.
Two in-form sides go head-to-head at Footes Lane on Saturday as Westcombe Park (4th) visit Guernsey Raiders (7th). Combe are looking to cap off October with a full slate of victories, while Guernsey are aiming to notch a fifth consecutive win.
Elsewhere, Bury St Edmunds (5th) travel to Canterbury (9th), who are having to deal with a few injuries, while Esher (6th) head to Henley (13th), with the hosts desperate for a shot in the arm after managing just one win from their opening seven fixtures.
The same could be said for London Welsh (14th) and Havant (10th) as the two sides prepare to meet at Old Deer Park.
The match marks the 140th anniversary of Welsh and all connected with the club would love to celebrate the milestone with a victory, especially after a chastening 59-14 loss at Westcombe Park a week ago.
Havant, meanwhile, have struggled with injuries, and after a promising start to the season, Rob Matthews and Will Knight’s side are seeking to end a run of five successive defeats.
Table rivals Oxford Harlequins (12th) may watch that result closely, but they face their own challenge with a tricky away trip to Dorking (8th), who are keen to bounce back after consecutive losses.
National Two West
It could be a telling weekend in the Midlands as Hinckley (11th) host bottom club Syston at Leicester Road.
Just 20 miles apart, both sides are desperate to end the campaign’s first block with a win, particularly Syston who are still searching for their first victory since promotion to Level Four.
Alex White’s men have shown spirit and attacking intent in abundance, but have been punished for errors, most recently surrendering a 26-17 half-time lead at Lymm.
Hinckley, buoyed by two encouraging performances over the last fortnight - including a narrow 43–40 defeat at Cinderford in Round Seven - will look to make it successive home wins and a third victory of the season overall.
Joining Syston in the bottom two are Old Redcliffians (13th), who have won their last two at Scotland Lane. Dan Cox’s troops will aim to make it three in a row against Lymm (7th), who haven’t won away since Round One despite a bright start to the term.
Loughborough Students (12th) will want to maintain momentum after two October wins, including last week's 42-39 victory over Exeter University. Martin Webdale’s team visit Hornets (6th), and the African Violet were one of the very few sides to win at The Nest last year. The hosts, though, have won seven of their last eight in their own backyard.
At the summit, 100 per cent Camborne (1st) will look to extend their perfect start at Exeter University (10th). Tom Kessell’s side are now one of only two clubs across National League Rugby yet to drop a point, holding a five-point cushion at the top.
Luctonians (2nd) continue to impress after six consecutive wins, the latest against table rivals Barnstaple. They travel to Cinderford (5th) in Round Eight, who ended a three-game losing streak last weekend.
Elsewhere, Redruth (3rd) - who have had a really positive opening block with five wins from seven - head to Taunton Titans (9th), while Barnstaple (4th) will aim to bounce back at home against Chester (8th).
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.jpg "Barnes are once again in the mix towards the top of National Two East")
