Richmond top after Hartpury suffer setback
Richmond went top of National One after Round 13 as Hartpury College suffered their third defeat of the season while Blackheath were held to a draw at home to Fylde.
Esher cranked the heat up on the top four with a win that leaves them just a point behind second place while at the bottom of the table, Cinderford tasted victory but Wharfedale and Henley Hawks continue to be in free fall.
Loughborough Students 17-31 Richmond
Richmond went top of National One for the first time this season thanks to a commanding first half performance over Loughborough Students.
A brace from Christopher Davies as well as tries from Sebastian Adeniran-Olue, Thomas Sargent and Charles Broughton set up the platform for victory as this bonus point win for Richmond takes them five points clear at the top of the division.
Rosslyn Park 26-18 Hartpury College
Richmond profited from Hartpury College as they fell to a defeat away at Rosslyn Park. Two first half penalty tries allowed Park to take control of this game as Hartpury were left frustrated.
The hosts did have Hugo Ellis red carded right after half-time, but despite having the extra man advantage, Hartpury just couldn’t turn the game in their favour as Park continue to work their way up the table.
Blackheath 34-34 Fylde
Blackheath failed to capitalise on Hartpury’s misfortune as they were held to a home draw by Fylde.
Maybe using the word ‘held’ is an injustice to Fylde who could have easily won this game and looked in the mood all afternoon which was emphasised by a hat-trick from winger Anthony Bingham.
Blackheath had Jake Lloyd to thank for his hat-trick as well 19 points from the boot of Simon Whatling as Blackheath remain 3rd, but now six points off the top.
Henley Hawks 5-39 Esher
Esher picked up another bonus point win as they added to Henley Hawks’ woes by running in six tries to move within six points of league leaders Richmond.
A double from Andrew Garner as well as scores from Paul Roberts, Andrew Wright, Oliver Marriott and Joseph Brown highlighted the away team’s dominance all afternoon against a Henley side that has now lost their last seven matches and are five points from safety.
Ampthill and District 22-21 Hull Ionians
In National Two North last year, both games between these two sides were tight and tense with both teams prevailing once throughout the campaign.
This recent encounter was no different as Ampthill put their injury problems to once side to battle to their latest win over Hull Ionians.
The A’s had to fight off a comeback from Ionians after a brace from Aquile Smith cut Ampthill’s lead from 22-7 to 22-21 in the space of seven minutes, but the hosts held on to move back up to 6th in the table.
Darlington Mowden Park 29-21 Coventry
Darlington Mowden Park made it four straight wins as they continued their good form against Coventry with this victory.
Two late tries from replacement Simon Uzokwe sealed the win for the north-east side as a lack of discipline from Coventry aided DMP’s quest for a bonus point. DMP are up to 10th with this win while Coventry are back down to 7th.
Wharfedale 9-12 Plymouth Albion
Plymouth Albion edged out a battling Wharfedale side in dreadful playing conditions in Yorkshire.
The hosts led 9-5 at the break as James Guy did tremendously well to land three penalties with the only try of the first half coming from Michael Stupple.
Wharfedale continued to grow into the game after the break, but they just weren’t clinical enough as a late Matt Shepherd try sealed the win for Albion leaving ‘Dale bottom of the table
Cinderford 12-10 Blaydon
An in-form Blaydon side were stunned by Cinderford as they secured their third win of the season to move off the foot of National One.
Nevarro Codlin and Jason Smithson exchanged tries in the first period before Samuel Hanks’ converted try gave Cinderford an early second half lead.
Smithson dotted own his second 11 minutes from time, but a missed conversion denied Blaydon two points as Cinderford moved to within five points of their north-east opposition in the table.
