National Leagues

This is where you will find all of The Rugby Paper’s National Leagues news, interviews, reports, opinion and other content.

Letters to editor: Rich clubs bypass Nat League salary cap thresholds

28 February 2021 0 comments

I COULDN’T agree more with Chris Taylor’s concerns (TRP Feb 21) at the distorting effect on community rugby of the lack of constraints on clubs […]

Pay to go up? Shameful rubbish says Rams CEO Reynolds

28 January 2021 0 comments

The chief executive of National One Rams reacts with disbelief at the thought of clubs having to pay £20m to buy their way into an expanded Premiership

Schools tackling ban ‘would spell danger’, says Taunton’s Kitson

8 January 2021 2 comments

Kitson’s time in rugby flitted between Taunton’s National Two South campaign last year, to Sydney, and Leeds University in 2020

Saints teachings help Dan Lancaster make cut for England U20s

5 January 2021 2 comments

Fresh from receiving an England U20s EPS call-up, Dan Lancaster talks to Neale Harvey about the coming year at Leeds Tykes

RFU Council votes in significant format changes to National Leagues and below

18 December 2020 0 comments

League structures to undergo radical change to help the community game survive and prosper

It’s Fergie time with double in triumph

15 March 2020 1 comment

By STEVE SMITH Sale ………………26 Moseley ……….10 SALE FC made it back-toback victories with a bonus-point triumph against Birmingham Moseley under the lights on Thursday […]

Rams withstand fightback in thriller

15 March 2020 0 comments

By NIGEL WILCE Cinderford …………38 Rams ………………….40 RAMS edged out Cinderford in a highly entertaining match that saw 12 tries scored. Just before half-time the […]

Triple delight for Lloyd and Irving

15 March 2020 2 comments

By BRIAN NORMAN Hull Ionians ……….17 Blackheath ……….64 BLACKHEATH’S ability to recycle the ball quickly saw them notch ten tries in a comfortable victory over […]

Pierre dazzles as Yapp’s men

15 March 2020 4 comments

By NEALE HARVEY Taunton ………………48pts Esher ……………………..10pts Behind you! Taunton No.8 Sam Prior makes it 43-10 PICTURES: Clayton Jane INSPIRED by an electrifying display from […]

Pack pressure sees Reds kill off Lions

15 March 2020 1 comment

By MICHAEL HOWKINS Leicester L ….15 Redruth ……….31 A POWERFUL performance by Redruth’s pack proved to be the difference as they saw off Leicester Lions. […]

Ruddock’s late try is a huge blow for Sharp

15 March 2020 1 comment

By ADAM HUNTER Bournemouth 14 Barnes …………..15 BOURNEMOUTH will be hoping for a miracle if they are to survive in National 2 South as they […]

Five of the best as Otley spark

15 March 2020 0 comments

By NICK DOYLE Otley……………………36 Luctonians…………24 OTLEY secured a vital bonus point in the first half, before Luctonians threatened a comeback in the second. An early […]

10-try Chester outgun Scunny

15 March 2020 1 comment

By STEVE WILLIAMS Scunthorpe…………18 Chester ………………64 BOTTOM side Scunthorpe were no match for top-half side Chester in this one, despite surprisingly opening the scoring early […]

Cicognini settles it after locked second half

15 March 2020 0 comments

By JOHN UTLEY Wharfedale ….19 Stourbridge ….15 WHARFEDALE delighted the home support as they returned to winning ways in a very entertaining game against Stourbridge. […]

Barber’s a demon but Park find their form

15 March 2020 0 comments

By STEVE SMITH Sedgley Park….32pts Loughborough ..14pts James Connor breaks the line on the way to his try for Sedgley Park Loughborough flyer George Barber […]

Field’s power game carries them closer to safety

15 March 2020 0 comments

By ANDREW SMITH Huddersfield ..31 Tynedale……..15 HUDDERSFIELD gave their survival hopes a major boost with a well deserved and hard-fought bonus-point win at Lockwood Park. […]

Tonbridge withstand fightback to stay top

8 March 2020 0 comments

By GARETH WITHERS Tonbridge……….36pts Clifton …………….32pts Going over: Mike O’Sullivan powers in to score for Tonbridge Juddians and Bentley Halpin scores his second Clifton try […]

Another defeat for OAs extends streak

8 March 2020 1 comment

By BRIAN QUINN Old Albanian….10 Westcliff……..16 OLD Albanian collected their 21st bonus point of the season but were unable to get the win as they […]

Dangerous Dan returns to break Tyne hearts

8 March 2020 1 comment

By BRIAN TILLEY Tynedale ……..27 Stourbridge….29 FORMER Tynedale favourite Dan Rundle returned to haunt his former club with a matchwinning try for Stourbridge deep into […]

Mason at double in Titans triumph

8 March 2020 0 comments

By MIKE AMOS Taunton Titans….29 Dings Crusaders..22 NICK Mason struck twice as Taunton Titans overcame a dogged Dings Crusaders side at the Towergate Stadium. Taunton […]

Ravers rock to emphatic title

8 March 2020 0 comments

By MIKE MITCHELL Preston G’h …………..5 Caldy ………………….49 CALDY were crowned champions after completing a characteristically comfortable victory over Preston Grasshoppers. The unbeaten league leaders […]

Hosts stunned by Bury’s great start

8 March 2020 0 comments

By ADAM HUNTER Bournemouth……..21 Bury St Edmunds ..34 BURY St Edmunds had wrapped up the bonus point before half-time on their way to seeing off […]

Sale find second gear to earn win

8 March 2020 0 comments

By STEVE SMITH Sale ………………22 Chinnor …………19 SALE FC overturned a halftime deficit then defended resolutely for a narrow win against Chinnor at Heywood Road. […]

By STEVE WILLIAMS Scunthorpe…………..7 Loughborough……54 LOUGHBOROUGH Students taught struggling Scunthorpe yet another lesson after an emphatic victory at Heslam Park. George Barber scored a hat-trick […]

Titans left to rue wasted chances

8 March 2020 1 comment

By GUY WILLIAMS Rotherham…………24 Bishop’s Stort ……31 ROTHERHAM threw away a golden opportunity to improve their chances of avoiding relegation by losing at home against […]

Cool Ireland has Zebras feeling green with envy

8 March 2020 1 comment

By NICK CROWE Otley …………….29 Sheffield ……..32 SHEFFIELD Tigers narrowly overcame Otley in a tightly-contested and gripping Yorkshire derby at Cross Green. Both sides took […]

Albion edge high scoring encounter

8 March 2020 2 comments

By PADDY MARSH Plymouth Albion..34 Darlington MP ……27 PLYMOUTH maintained their run of fine form, emerging victorious against Darlington in a ten-try thriller. A try […]

Hornets sting Field with late comeback

8 March 2020 0 comments

By ANDREW SMITH Huddersfield ….15pts Hinckley…………24pts Peck’s appeal: David Peck gets Hinckley back in the game PICTURES: Mike Inkley Away he goes: Charles Morgan opens […]

Laventure try is decisive as Park seize the day

8 March 2020 1 comment

By WARREN MUGGLETON Sheer joy: Rosslyn Park celebrate going over in the important win over Richmond KIERAN Power hailed Rosslyn Park’s defensive performance in an […]

Tom and Ben the crucial men for Spragg

8 March 2020 1 comment

By CHRISTIAN EVANS Fylde …………..48 Luctonians ….10 FREE-FLOWING Fylde returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion after defeating Luctonians 48-10 at the Woodlands. Tom Carleton […]

Wright off as Blood & Sand earn tightest of wins

8 March 2020 0 comments

Cambridge ….13 Moseley ……..12 By STEVE JACKSON A RED card for Moseley’s Dan Wright ten minutes into added time at the end of the game […]

Glasse shatters through for Tigers

8 March 2020 1 comment

By STEVE SMITH Sedgley Park ……..13 Hull ……………………..10 SEDGLEY Park Tigers held off a late comeback from Hull to claim a narrow victory at Park […]

Drama as Club fall to late penalty try defeat

8 March 2020 0 comments

Cinderford ……21 Blackheath ….16 By NIGEL WILCE THERE was late drama at Cinderford when the referee awarded the home side a penalty try for a […]

Pack power fuels second half blitz

8 March 2020 0 comments

By ED WILLIAMS Wharfedale ……….14 Chester ………………19 CHESTER walked away with a win at the Avenue after their tireless forwards delivered a brilliant display. The […]

Rampant Rams run over OEs

8 March 2020 2 comments

By JON EDWARDS Old Elthamians…..15 Rams……………………31 AN IMPRESSIVE Rams were pushed all the way by this Old Elthamians side at College Meadow before securing their […]

Regionalised leagues would strengthen the club game

8 March 2020 0 comments

MARK NELSON LANCASHIRE COUNTY COACH Change is in the air apparently, the structure of league rugby in the English club game is being overhauled for […]

Ionians lose in basement fight

8 March 2020 1 comment

By PAUL MARTIN Canterbury…………24 Hull Ionians ……….15 CANTERBURY staged a second half comeback to claim victory in the battle between the bottom two in Kent. […]

Unbeaten Caldy on track for perfect promotion

8 March 2020 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA By JON NEWCOMBE WHATEVER happens in the last two months of the season, Caldy RFC’s unbeaten run has already outlasted that of the […]

Tries galore as Raiders power to home win

8 March 2020 1 comment

By PAUL MARTIN Worthing ……..43 Barnes…………..30 WORTHING Raiders came out on top in an entertaining try-fest against Barnes. The tone was set within the opening […]

Hawks swoop to down Esher

8 March 2020 0 comments

By ALASTAIR BEYNON Henley Hawks……46 Esher ………………….20 HENLEY Hawks produced one of their best displays of the season to run out resounding winners against Esher […]

Brave Ben is the Lions hero

8 March 2020 0 comments

By GEOFF SIBLEY Old Redcliffians ..10 Leicester Lions ….13 BEN Young’s last-gasp drop goal saw Leicester Lions complete a dramatic comeback victory at Old Redcliffians. […]

Big victory for Redruth as fine form continues

8 March 2020 1 comment

By JOHN CROYSDILL Sutton & Epsom ..22 Redruth …………..41 IN-FORM Redruth extended their unbeaten run by beating struggling Sutton & Epson who contributed magnificently in […]

Foden removes Hoppers’ spring

1 March 2020 1 comment

■By STEVE SMITH Chester ………………27 Preston GH …………14 CHESTER came from 11 points down to claim a bonus-point victory on the road and inflict further […]

Albion increase Moseley fears

1 March 2020 1 comment

■By PAUL SMITH Moseley………………14 Plymouth Albion…26 THREE tries from their powerful pack, in which veteran back-rower Herbie Stupple put in an eye-catching display, steered Plymouth […]

Joe leaves Field with a Stour taste

1 March 2020 0 comments

■By NICK PULLEN Stourbridge………14 Huddersfield………14 HUDDERSFIELD eased their relegation fears after a dogged draw with Stourbridge at Stourton Park. With a gale-force wind at their […]

Club come out on top in battle of elements

1 March 2020 0 comments

■By GRAHAM COX Blackheath ……12 Cambridge…………3 THE conditions ranged from difficult to almost impossible in this contest as Blackheath edged out Cambridge in a low-scoring […]

Booth to take the reins at struggling Ospreys

1 March 2020 0 comments

NEWS EXTRA OSPREYS have named Toby Booth as the new head coach on a three-year deal, starting this summer. Booth, 50, joined Harlequins as assistant […]

Crusaders in cruise control in final quarter

1 March 2020 0 comments

■By JOHN WHITE Dings …………….51 Bournemouth…14 A SUPERB second-half performance paved the way for Dings’ bonus-point victory over Bournemouth at Shaftesbury Park. Crusaders ran in […]

Bury click with own route 66

1 March 2020 0 comments

■By SIMON LORD Bury St Edmunds…66 Old Redcliffians …22 THESE two sides finally met at the third time of asking, but by the hour Reds […]

Clifton’s brave 13 grind it out

1 March 2020 0 comments

■By ROGER OPIE Clifton …………………20 Henley Hawks ……10 CLIFTONduly completed the double over the league leaders with a convincing display. Storm force winds and torrential […]

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