Great crowds and absorbing contests – Life in National League Rugby is never dull and Round Two was no different
Rosslyn Park overcome two tricky hurdles to get off to a solid start in National One, Lewis Minikin shines for Hull Ionians, it was double delight for the Ford family on Saturday night and a crowd of over 2,500 watched newly-promoted Camborne defeat Redruth. Photo Credit: (John Watkins)
National One
After seeing a lead slip through their fingers in Round One, the same unwanted scenario happened again for Richmond against local rivals Rosslyn Park as Kieran Power’s side stormed back in the final 15 minutes to clinch a 31-24 victory.
Park were 14-0 down inside the first quarter following scores from Jake Caddy and Chris Te Mete, and they trailed 17-12 at the interval after Edward Landray had slotted over a penalty in response to away tries from Charlie Walker and James Stokes.
Alex Post’s try seemingly kept Richmond in control but like seven days earlier, Rob Powell’s side couldn’t protect their advantage as Walker, Will Burton and Patrick Kelly turned the game around for Rosslyn Park, who made it two bonus-point wins from two.
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Sedgley Park and Rams also maintained their 100 per cent records with the newly-promoted Tigers securing a brilliant 44-21 away win at Birmingham Moseley while Rams recovered from a slow start against an excellent Chinnor side to eventually seal a 29-19 victory at Old Bath Road.
Mason Tonks scored twice as Cinderford picked up their second success of the campaign as they battled past Leicester Lions 23-17 while there were first triumphs of the term for Plymouth Albion and Bishop’s Stortford.
Albion racked up the half-century against West Country rivals Taunton Titans as they won 54-19 at Brickfields whilst Toby Tierney’s late try snatched a 31-27 victory for Stortford away at newly-promoted Blackheath.
Meanwhile, Sale FC were left stunned for the second time in as many weeks as an inspired display from Josh Ree saw Darlington Mowden Park depart Heywood Road with an excellent 28-21 win.
National Two North
Hull Ionians got the better of city rivals Hull in Round Two, with Lewis Minkin producing a sublime performance in a 30-25 victory for the I’s.
The centre collected a 20-point haul for Graham Steadman’s troops and after conceding first to Jack Baldry’s try, Hull Ionians led 20-5 at the interval with Minkin landing two penalties and converting the scores of Nathan Hill and George Mewburn.
Hull fly-half Reece Dean and Minikin traded blows from the tee but two tries in seven minutes from Charlie Beech and Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz dragged the hosts right back into this contest.
📲💫 National League Rugby Highlights: Round 2 | #Nat2n
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But the mercurial Minikin ultimately delivered the decisive blow with his convert try on 65 minutes, with Dean pinging over a penalty right at the death to collect a bonus point for the home side.
So two victories from two for Hull Ionians, with Rotherham Titans and Leeds Tykes also doing the same. The Titans recovered from a slow start against Wharfedale to seal a 34-19 win at The Avenue while the Tykes are the only side in the division to record back-to-back bonus point successes after their 31-18 triumph over 14-man Otley, who had Gavin Stead sent off.
Adam Lanigan and Tom Carleton shone for Fylde as they continued their strong, recent record against local rivals Preston Grasshoppers thanks to a 41-27 win while the derby day spoils in the Steel City went to Sheffield as Christian Hooper’s brace helped them to a 32-28 victory over Sheffield Tigers.
Elsewhere, there was more heartbreak for Lymm as Huddersfield – who had Ed Barber sent off 11 minutes from time – rallied to snatch a 48-41 win in an absorbing contest in the North-West while Sam Heron starred for Billingham as the newly promoted side opened their account for the term with a 20-17 victory against Tynedale.
National Two East
Dorking kept up their eye-catching start to the season with a solid 38-10 bonus point victory over Worthing Raiders.
Callum Watson, Finn Osborne and George Jackson crossed for first-half tries as the home side led 24-0 at the interval.
Thomas Bowen and Alfie Ambrose did respond for Worthing but two further tries from Toby McRae and Fraser Mosley completed the victory for Dorking, with centre Henry Anscombe also producing a 100 per cent display from the tee.
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It was double delight for @BSERugby Director of Rugby Jacob Ford on Saturday….🏴👇@TalkRugbyUnion @RFU pic.twitter.com/ug8rL6jN1m
— National League Rugby (@Natleague_rugby) September 11, 2023
Last season’s runners-up Barnes also made it two bonus-point wins from two after Cam Roberts’ hat-trick helped them to a 59-22 success over Wimbledon while after George Ford’s marvellous performance for England on Saturday night against Argentina, it was double delight for brother Jacob as the Bury St Edmunds Director of Rugby saw his side beat North Walsham 50-17.
Esher bounced back from their opening day loss against Barnes as they defeated a spirited Westcombe Park 42-27 while Nathan Morris profited from a well-oiled Canterbury driving maul as the hooker scored on four occasions in their 45-19 win against Kent rivals Tonbridge Juddians.
Meanwhile, both Old Albanian and Guernsey Raiders opened their accounts for the season in Round Two. OA’s came from behind to beat Henley Hawks 31-20 while Guernsey ran in six tries against Sevenoaks to record a 36-27 victory.
National Two West
In front of a crowd of 2,678 at Crane Park, Camborne got their National Two West season up and running with a 36-29 win over local rivals Redruth.
After Jack Simmons cancelled out Ben Priddey’s early try, the home side led 29-15 at the break thanks to a brace from Josh Matavasi and a try from Connor Gilbert.
Tommy Phillips had touched down for Redruth in the first period and centre Sam James crossed on 47 minutes to cut the deficit to five points.
📲💫 National League Rugby Highlights: Round 2 | #Nat2w
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But a penalty try five minutes from time got Camborne over the line whilst Mackenzie Oliver’s late, converted effort ensured Redruth picked up two bonus points from their trip down the A30.
The trio of Exeter University, Luctonians and Hinckley once again collected bonus-point victories in Round Two. Exeter ran in 10 tries in a dazzling 68-19 win over Hornets, Charlie Grimes’ hat-trick helped Lucs defeat Old Redcliffians 47-15 and Hinckley got the better of Loughborough Students 40-31.
Elsewhere, Luke Cozens starred under the Friday night lights of Shaftesbury Park as Clifton edged past Dings Crusaders 16-15 to make it two wins from two while Chester held off a fightback from Newport (Salop) to record a 32-29 victory and Bournville got off the mark at Avery Fields as they capitalised on some indiscipline from Dudley Kingswinford to clinch a 29-22 success.
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