Hartpury close in on top spot

For the first time this season we saw postponements of games in National One with Blaydon and Fylde’s matches falling foul to the weather.

The conditions may have had an effect on the narrow encounters we saw across the weekend, but Hartpury College won’t be complaining as they are now a single point off the summit after victory over Richmond.

Esher lost ground in the promotion hunt while down at the bottom, Wharfedale would have been one of very few teams to have enjoyed the weather conditions as a win for them meant they are off the foot of the table.

Richmond 21-27 Hartpury College

This top of the table clash once again highlighted how tough it will be to gain promotion this season with Hartpury narrowing the gap on Richmond after inflicting their third defeat of the campaign on them.

There was only one score between the two sides throughout the game and in fairness, College were the better side in this contest despite receiving two yellow cards. Richmond were the creators of their own downfall as mistakes cost them in key areas, but they do still lead the way in National One with one week to go until the Christmas period.

Coventry 16-24 Blackheath

Blackheath may have preferred a draw in the Richmond/Hartpury game, but they won’t mind a College win as they are now just three points off the top thanks to their victory over Coventry.

The home side were ahead at half-time, but despite enjoying the dominance at the set-piece they, like Richmond, allowed their opposition back into the game as Blackheath showed their quality to turn the game around and secure a win, while Coventry slip down to 8^th in what has been an inconsistent season for the Blues.

Esher 14-22 Darlington Mowden Park

Darlington Mowden Park’s impressive run continued on Saturday as they beat Esher away from home to dent their hosts chances of promotion.

DMP will have Simon Uzokwe to thank once again as he scored the crucial try to clinch victory for the north-east side that have now won their last five matches.

DMP are now up to ninth in the table while Esher find themselves seven points off the top.

Cinderford 17-20 Rosslyn Park

Rosslyn Park stretched their run to three straight wins as they narrowly edged out a Cinderford side who are now 15^th in the table.

The hosts have improved in recent weeks and showed that once again on Saturday as a second half score from Nevaro Codlin gave them the lead until a late try from Park snatched the points away from Cinderford. Park are now 10 points off the top while Cinderford are just four points from safety.

Plymouth Albion 34-27 Loughborough Students

Plymouth Albion made it four wins on the trot to move into the top six after running in five tries against Loughborough Students.

The highlight of the day for Albion was the hat-trick scored by second row Nile Acres while this defeat  for Students means they are six points clear of the relegation zone.

Hull Ionians 15-16 Wharfedale

Wharfedale picked up a much needed win as they came away from Brantingham Park with this impressive victory.

An early try was backed up by three James Guy penalties as ‘Dale clinched their third win of the season and more crucially, the victory leaves them just three points off safety.  

Blaydon v Henley Hawks and Fylde v Ampthill & District were both postponed and these matches have been rescheduled for 27^th February 2016.