The National 2 South league continues to shift

There has been a remarkable turn of events in National Two South. Dorking looked set for a play-off place, but now that is under serious threat whilst the fight for survival is closer than ever.

Here is the round-up from last week’s National Two South matches which saw Henley need just two wins for the title whilst Dings Crusaders were relegated.
Also we preview Round 26 of the season which includes some crucial games at the top and bottom of this league.

Henley Hawks 34-34 Bishop’s Stortford
Henley have had a couple of tough fixtures over the last two weeks. They saw off fourth place Taunton 28-34 and this draw against third place Bishop’s Stortford keeps them on course for the league title. They only managed to snatch a share of the points thanks to a last minute try by Simon Perry and they were unlucky not to win the game as stand-in kicker George Eastwell hit the upright with the conversion.
This was a clash between the top two form sides in the league and the match certainly lived up to that.  Stortford led 22-26 at half-time and produced a battling second half performance to keep their lead right up until the final minute of the game. There will have been a slight sense of disappointment, but those three points could prove the difference at the end of next month.

Dorking 17-51 Taunton Titans
The reason I say it could be vital for Bishop’s Stortford is because over the last three games, second placed Dorking have seemed to crack under the pressure of a potential promotion place. This defeat to Taunton was their second loss in a row having been beaten 19-24 by Southend at the end of February. It leaves Dorking 15 points behind Henley and now just a point clear of Bishop’s Stortford and three clear of Taunton.
This was Taunton’s first game since they lost to Henley two weeks ago and they were out looking for revenge over Dorking after they ended Taunton’s unbeaten home record in earlier in the season. Taunton got exactly what they were looking for as they ran in seven tries to three to seal the win. This was an incredible team effort by Taunton with every player shining on the day and they now know they will have to put in similar performances to this one, if they are to be in the mix come the end of the season.

Shelford 13-40 Worthing Raiders
With a number of key players returning, Worthing still have an outside shot of coming second after an excellent win over a spirited Shelford side. Worthing played open an expansive rugby for 80 minutes which was thoroughly entertaining for their travelling supporters. After this win, they are now just eight points behind Dorking in fifth position in the table. In terms of Shelford, despite this plucky display, they still find themselves 18 points from safety with five games remaining. A minimum of two more defeats could see them relegated from National Two South.

Chinnor 14-3 Canterbury
This was a lacklustre affair with Chinnor doing just about enough in the first half to secure their 10th home win of the season. Converted tries from Alfie To’ola and Robbie Marty condemned Canterbury to their 11th away defeat of the season. Chinnor are now sitting comfortably in the top half and it now looks guaranteed they will finish in the top eight this season.
As for Canterbury, the last three weeks has seen them drop into the bottom three, all be it on games won. After that excellent 15-15 draw to Dorking, this defeat to Chinnor has proved costly as the sides around them have all started to pick up victories when it matters most. Canterbury have three of their remaining five matches at home, but they must rediscover their try scoring touch if they are to stay in this division.

Cornish All Blacks 7-28 Cambridge
Cambridge returned from a tricky away trip against Launceston with a bonus-point 28-7 victory.
The All Blacks are now just five points clear of the drop zone, but Cambridge put in a professional performance thanks to tries from Albert Portsmouth, Joe Collingham, Stefan Lebenberg and a penalty try.
This was a game littered with yellow cards with Cambridge seeing James Palmer and Steve Hipwell sent there in the first half whilst the All Blacks had three in the bin in the second period.
Cornish All Blacks claimed that this was their worst performance of the season so far and after looking comfortable towards the end of 2014, they are now looking nervously over their shoulder.
Reaction
Cambridge Director of Rugby Rowland Winter:  "The team worked really hard and controlled large periods of possession and territory. We are proud of the boys' effort and attitude. It's a tough place to come to and a long trip and we are over the moon to be heading home with five points."
Cornish All Blacks Director of Rugby Neil Bayliss: “We gave them a 21-point lead in the first 20 minutes and that gave us a mountain to climb. At the breakdown, they competed a lot better than we did. For the first time this season we were out-scrummaged. Our line-out was inconsistent, we missed lifts and we missed throws. It’s the worst performance of the season by far.

Dings Crusaders 20-29 Redruth
Despite being 17-3 down, Redruth produced a second half comeback to claim this away win and condemn Dings Crusaders to National Three next season. It is a rarity to see Redruth come away from Dings with a victory, but even though the hosts had a good start, it was the bottom club who had the upper hand in the first half after some well-crafted tries gave them a 17-3 led. Four yellow cards didn’t help Redruth’s cause, but they fought back superbly to pick up just their second win on the road this season.
It is three wins in a row now for The Reds who sit mid-table whilst Dings knew they had to win this game to stand any chance of staying in this division. They are 25 points from safety with five games remaining, but because Lyndey have won nine games and Dings just three, it is impossible for them to stay up even if they win all five of those games.* It has been a sorry season for Dings who have won just three times all season and are without a win in 12 games.
*If league points are the same, league position is decided by games won.  

Lyndey 23-23 Old Elthamians
Lyndey’s form has turned around dramatically in recent weeks. With back to back wins against Clifton and this draw against the Old E’s, they now find themselves out of the drop zone on games won. It was the visitors who dominated the first 40, with Lyndey rarely advancing out of their half. However, the hosts flew out of the blocks in the second period and had the 23-17 led with four minutes remaining before Lee Nelmes crossed with Tom White converting for the Old E’s to save a draw. The OE’s are now ninth in the table and have won just twice in 2015.

Southend Saxons 36-18 Clifton
As well as Lyndey, Southend Saxons are on the march. They have begun 2015 in style and this form may well save them from relegation. This was their sixth league win of the year and Southend are now 11th in the table and five points clear of the drop. It was another must win game for the Saxons who did find themselves 0-10 down after 10 minutes, but things immediately improved and from their Southend took control of the game running in five tries as they brushed Clifton to one side.
Clifton have now lost their last three and they are only eight points clear of the relegation places. It’s getting ever so close at the bottom of National Two South.

Round 26 Preview
Redruth v Henley Hawks
Henley now know that two more bonus point wins will see them be crowned champions of National Two South. They could secure their play-off place with a win on Saturday, but that all depends on other results.
In terms of this game, Henley have recaptured their early season form after a blip in the middle of their campaign. The Hawks have lost just once in their last nine matches and have won 10 of their 13 games on the road this season.
As for Redruth, they are also going through a purple patch of form. The Reds have won their last three games and have lost at home just twice all season with those defeats coming against Clifton and Dorking. Redruth lost 17-3 last time they played Henley back in November.

Bishop’s Stortford v Dorking
What a prospect this is set to be. Second place Dorking currently have the worst form in the top half and their title aspirations are rapidly fading away from them. Their focus surely has to be on securing a play-off spot which has been in their hands for most of the season. After defeats to Southend and Taunton, this challenge away at Bishop’s Stortford will certainly test Dorking’s character and promotion credentials. Dorking have won just twice in their last five games, but they have only lost once away from home all season.
In terms of Stortford, their recent form has firmly put them in the hunt for a play-off game against either Hull Ionians or Ampthill from the North Division in this league. Stortford have are unbeaten in their last five (W 4 D1) and have won nine of their 12 matches at home this season. They know if they win by any margin, they can go above Dorking this weekend.
Dorking will know that they have had the upper hand over Stortford in the past having won seven of nine meetings between the sides.

Taunton v Chinnor
It might be wishful thinking, but Taunton will be hoping for a nice low scoring draw between Bishop’s Stortford and Dorking as they look to put pressure on the sides above them this weekend. Taunton are just two points behind Dorking, and Taunton know with a bonus point win they could go ahead of Dorking this weekend if they draw with Stortford. Regardless of that scenario happening, Taunton will certainly be looking to pick up maximum points between now and the end of the season.
The home side have won three of their last five games and have lost just twice at home this campaign. They welcome Chinnor this weekend who have won five and lost four in 2015 so far. Chinnor have won five games on the road this season and will be looking to make it back to back away wins this Saturday. Chinnor won this reverse fixture 30-26 earlier in the season.

Worthing Raiders v Cambridge
This is again another clash between two sides in the top half of the table. Worthing still have an outside chance of making that play-off place thanks to their remarkable run of form which has seen them win nine of their last 12 matches. They have won 10 of their 13 matches at home this season, with their last defeat on home soil coming against the Dings Crusaders at the end of November.
As for Cambridge, they have won their last four matches and are sitting nicely in seventh place in the league. They have won five times on their travels this season and will be seeking revenge for their 15-28 defeat to Worthing earlier in the season

Old Etlhamians v Southend Saxons
Into the bottom half, where Southend will be looking to keep up their impressive form when they travel to the Old E’s this weekend. Southend have turned their fortunes around in recent weeks having won three of their last four matches. They are five points clear of the drop and will be hoping to secure their fourth away win of the season this weekend to move further away from danger.
In terms of the hosts, they have had miserable second half of the season and are without a win in their last four games. They have won six matches at home this season and will wanting to win this clash with Southend after they were beaten 29-26 earlier in the campaign.  

Clifton v Cornish All Blacks
Both of these sides are in rotten form at the moment at the wrong time of the season. Clifton have lost their last three and have won just once in their last six matches after a good start to 2015. At home, they have lost more than they have won this season as they prepare to welcome the All Blacks this Saturday,
In terms of the Cornish All Blacks, they are starting to feel the heat of a relegation battle. Having looked safe at Christmas, they have won just three of their nine matches in 2015 which now sees them just five points clear of the relegation zone. As we have seen with Canterbury, it is so easy to be dragged down there. The All Blacks have lost their last three and haven’t won away from home since they beat Shelford on January 3rd.
This match has been evenly contested over the last five years with Clifton winning four of the seven games played between the sides and the All Blacks winning the other three.

Canterbury v Lydney
This probably is the most exciting weekend of the season in this division. The top four are all in action against each other and so are the bottom four with this game being pivotal in the race for survival. Canterbury have been sucked into this relegation battle over the past few weeks and know anything less than a win this Saturday will keep them in the drop zone. Canterbury’s home record has helped them so far this season and with three of their last five being at home, they will need that to continue.
They are without a win in three which is a stark contrast to Lyndey. Lyndey’s form has changed in an instant and with two wins in their last three games, their heads are just about above water. The worrying thing for Lyndey is that they have won just once away from home all season, but they will take confidence knowing that win came on their last away day against Clifton. They will be hoping for a similar outcome to what they saw earlier in the season when Lyndey won 24-11.

Shelford v Dings Crusaders
The clock is now ticking for Shelford. After seeing Dings’ relegation being confirmed last weekend, Shelford know anything less than a win against Dings this weekend could well see them relegated. With Canterbury and Lyndey playing against each other, Shelford must really win to stay up. If Canterbury and Lyndey draw and Shelford draw that could be enough to save them, but a win is vital for Shelford this weekend. Shelford have won just once in their last nine matches, but four of their six wins this season have come at home.
As for Dings, they know they are already down, but will certainly not be making up the numbers on Saturday. They will want to make sure they don’t finish bottom of the league, but will have to pick up their first away win since November and only their fourth win of the season to close the gap on Shelford. Shelford won this fixture 43-20 earlier in the season.