Richmond go level with Hartpury at the top of National One
Round 12 of National One saw all the sides in the top four secure victories, but Hartpury College are now level at the top of table with Richmond as College failed to pick up a bonus point this weekend.
That top four are starting to create a larger gap between themselves and the rest of the pack with seven points now the difference while for Cinderford, Wharfedale and Henley Hawks; they are slowly being cast adrift at the bottom.
Hartpury College 13-8 Loughborough
League leaders Hartpury College edged past fellow student side Loughborough Students in torrential conditions.
Loughborough’s form in recent weeks has improved and there were signs of that in this encounter with Hartpury as the visitors had long spells of possession in the game.
Hartpury managed to find that clinical edge though, as two Gareth Thompson penalties was the difference, but the hosts will be frustrated not to have picked up a bonus point.
Richmond 55-12 Wharfedale
With Hartpury failing to pick up a bonus point, it allowed Richmond to go level with them at the top of National One as they dispatched a struggling Wharfedale side.
Richmond had a 10 point lead at half-time with Jack Allcock, Chris Davies and Callum Grant all going over and the hosts took control after the break as they ran in five more tries to seal the win at The Athletic Ground.
Hull Ionians 20-26 Blackheath
Blackheath remain 3rd in National One and just three points behind the front runner thanks to a last minute try from lock Greg Gillanders at Hull Ionians.
The hosts had led 20-19 with just three minutes remaining after Daniel Paul had crashed over, but Blackheath stole the points to claim their 10th win of the season.
Reaction
Blackheath Head Coach Mike Friday said: “I think compared to a number of clubs and their resource in this league, we are currently punching well above our weight as on that basis, we should be mid to low table.
“For such a new and young squad, the boys are doing fantastically well both on and off the pitch. We have gelled well and have shown the right characteristics and behaviour which has allowed us to go about playing the game that suits us as a squad.”
Esher 43-3 Cinderford
Esher romped to victory against bottom club Cinderford as the home side bounced back from two straight defeats by running in seven tries.
They did lead 17-3 at the break, but scores from Ian Kench, Andrew Garner and second tries for Cameron Gentles and Alistair Chisholm rounded off a comfortable win for Esher who are now within six points of the top while Cinderford are lumbered at the bottom of this division.
Blaydon 13-0 Rosslyn Park
Is there anything that can stop Blaydon? They once again upset the applecart this Saturday as they brushed aside pre-season favourites for promotion Rosslyn Park.
The weather played its part in this contest, but two Brent Connon penalties and a try from Gavin Jones saw the home side clinch their third win in their last four matches. Blaydon are now out of the bottom three while Rosslyn stay 5th after their fourth defeat of the campaign.
Coventry 29-15 Henley Hawks
With Rosslyn Park slipping up in the north-east, the door was open for Coventry to capitalise and that’s exactly what they did in adverse weather conditions at the Butts Park Arena.
The hosts had secured the bonus point before half-time thanks to two Robert Knox tries, a Penalty Try and a score from George Oliver.
Yellow cards to Coventry’s Benjamin Thomas and Chad Thorne did allow Henley back into the contest as Jacob Albon and Robert Bell both crossed, but Coventry halted any comeback the away side might have been mounting.
Coventry are now up to 6th while Henley slip into the bottom three after no win in six.
Plymouth Albion 18-13 Ampthill and District
Plymouth Albion are back in the top half of the table after this home win against Ampthill and District who have now won just one of their last three matches.
The weather wasn’t the best on the south coast, but Plymouth had the edge with a Jake Murphy try and a Penalty Try proving to be the difference.
The visitors did fightback to secure a losing bonus point as Harry Agnew dived over on 79 minutes, but it was Albion who came away with the spoils.
Fylde 17-21 Darlington Mowden Park
Fylde’s inconsistent season continued as they were beaten at home by an in form Darlington Mowden Park side.
Two Gary Law tries and one from Luca Petillo saw DMP race into a 0-21 lead after just 18 minutes which left a mountain to climb for Fylde.
The hosts did respond though as Chris Johnson, Oliver Brennand and Scott Rawlings touched down before the hour mark, but Fylde just couldn’t keep their composure as they fell to defeat.
