National Leagues

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

Rugby in France is going the way of England soccer

24 September 2017 2 comments

JEFF PROBYN A FRONT ROW VIEW OF THE GAME Whitewash: French national team decline continued in the 3-0 summer series defeat to South Africa PICTURE: […]

Caldy overhauled in last five minutes

24 September 2017 0 comments

By JOHN LYON Caldy …16 Cambridge…20 ABONUS-POINT win for Cambridge looked unlikely with five minutes of the game remaining. Caldy led by 16 points to […]

Best now a doubt for Autumn Tests

24 September 2017 1 comment

RUGBY SHORTS ULSTER and Ireland captain Rory Best has been ruled out for four to six weeks after a scan revealed he had suffered a […]

Gidlow steals dramatic late win for Reds

24 September 2017 0 comments

By BILL HOOPER Redruth…20 Worthing …19 REDRUTH broke Worthing’s hearts, as they scored a try with the final play of the game to sneak the […]

Ionians architects of their downfall

24 September 2017 0 comments

By MALLY KNOWLES Hull Ionians 26 Old Albanian .36 OLD ALBANIAN secured victory with a workmanlike display against a disappointing Ionians. Both teams made a […]

Knee injury may keep Cipriani out till Xmas

24 September 2017 0 comments

WASPS fly-half Danny Cipriani could miss up to three months with the knee injury sustained in Wasps’ 24-21 Premiership defeat to Harlequins last Sunday. Cipriani […]

Late try keeps Tynedale perfect after four

24 September 2017 0 comments

By PETER HAYES Leicester L… 26 Tynedale … 28 TYNEDALE made it four wins from four in a hardfought game against Leicester Lions, that was […]

Moseley find their rhythm for first success

17 September 2017 0 comments

Birmingham 38 Hull Ionians 24 By DAVE LAWRENCE BIRMINGHAM Moseley ran in six tries on their way to their first National One win of the […]

Guernsey sneak past Tunbridge Wells

17 September 2017 1 comment

London & South East Premier GUERNSEY played their get of jail free card snatching a 34-36 win away to Tunbridge Wells the last play of […]

Late breakaways sees Albion home

17 September 2017 1 comment

Bishop’s Sto 17 Plymouth A 36 By JOHN ALLANSON SHORN of eight frontline players through injuries and other absences, Bishop’s Stortford were unable to hold […]

Tries galore as Salop cruise to third win

17 September 2017 0 comments

Midlands Premier NEWPORT Salop set the early pace as they enjoyed another try-laden victory, securing all five points for the third successive week with a […]

Tout the catalyst as TJs stretch to victory

17 September 2017 0 comments

By ROGER OPIE Clifton 14 Tonbridge 24 THIS first meeting between the clubs produced some lively exchanges, with freeflowing rugby across the full width of […]

Esher bouncing back in fine style

17 September 2017 2 comments

Esher 32 Rosslyn Park 17 By ADAM THEOFILATOS ESHER returned from their demolition by Plymouth Albion to power their way to a commanding home win […]

Lymm take top spot as Hull are held

17 September 2017 0 comments

Northern Premier LYMMtake over at the top of the table following a 46-5 win away at Sandal. Hull fall after being held to a draw […]

Wilson heroics secure win for Hinckley

17 September 2017 0 comments

By GEOFF LIGHTFOOT HINCKLEY won a top-class Midlands derby at Leicester Road, with a penalty in the latter stages of the game proving the difference […]

Late try double is fatal blow to Reds

17 September 2017 0 comments

By SIMON LORD Bury St Ed 28 Old Redcliff’ 20 THREE second-half tries by Bury broke the hearts of battling Redcliffians. The Bristol side made […]

Newton happy with mean streak as DMP victorious

17 September 2017 0 comments

Acrobatic: Simon Uzokwe of Darlington Mowden Park dives over for his first try PICTURES: Mark Fletcher DARLINGTONMowden Park coach John Newton praised his side’s ruthless […]

Crusaders maintain their perfect record

17 September 2017 0 comments

South West Premier DINGS Crusaders remain one of three sides with a 100 per cent record in the South West Premier following a 44-24 victory […]

Silver kicks Lucs to win over Dale

17 September 2017 1 comment

Luctonians 26 Wharfedale 14 By GEOFF VICKRESS LUCTONIANS secured a hard-fought victory with a dogged performance against winless Wharfedale at Mortimer Park in front of […]

Super Sayers has Street in a mess

17 September 2017 0 comments

By ROGER STEVENSON Canterbury 41 Broadstreet 7 HARRY Sayers scored a hat-trick as Canterbury turned on the style for a second win of the season. […]

Tarrant on the money to sink his former club

17 September 2017 0 comments

By GRAHAM COX FOR THE second time in two home matches Blackheath won by a single point with Joe Tarrant determining the outcome in the […]

Tigers outclassed by ruthless Sale

17 September 2017 0 comments

Sale 52 Sheffield T 15 By TOM GALLAGHER SALE moved up to sixth place in the National League Division Two North table after a comprehensive […]

Ruthless Foresters show no mercy to Hawks

17 September 2017 1 comment

By NICK PITSON Henley 17 Cinderford 90 CINDERFORD kept their unbeaten start to the season with a 14-try annihilation of the Hawks. Even the Cinderford […]

Fylde are smashed for six by rampant visitors

17 September 2017 1 comment

Fylde 7 Old Elt’mians 43 By HENRY WOODSFORD OLD Elthamians earned their first win of the season, scoring six tries against an abject Fylde side […]

Brilliant Barker inspires Blues to victory

17 September 2017 0 comments

Macclesfield 41 Blaydon 15 By MATT COLERIDGE A LATE flurry of tries helped Macclesfield down Blaydon and register another victory in an impressive campaign so […]

Titans just too good come rain or shine

17 September 2017 0 comments

By KEITH BROOKING On the run: Jack Bond of Barnstaple makes a break Held: Alex Spurdle tries to get away for Taunton PICTURES: Alex Davidson […]

Caldy comeback stuns Students

17 September 2017 1 comment

Loughb’ough 26 Caldy 31 By OSCAR MORTIMER LOUGHBOROUGH Students let a 13-point half-time lead slip as Caldy took the win in the East Midlands. It […]

Clegg hails spirit after Otley hold off Chester

17 September 2017 1 comment

Otley 31pts Chester 16pts By NICK DOYLE OTLEYwithstood a second half resurgence by Chester to come out comfortable winners in West Yorkshire. Tries from Joe […]

Casson treble as Chinnor take command

17 September 2017 1 comment

By WILL THOMPSON London IWG 24 Chinnor…… 43 WILD GEESE were seeking their first win of the season as they opened their home campaign. Unfortunately […]

Watt could have been for Albanian

17 September 2017 1 comment

Old Albanian 19 Coventry 21 By BRIAN QUINN ALBANIANS came within two points of a famous victory as Coventry’s management optimised their bench in the […]

Backs the difference as

17 September 2017 0 comments

Sheffield 17 Stourbridge 38 By ANDREW SMITH Bridge triumph STOURBRIDGE chalked up their third bonus point win on the bounce to remain unbeaten with a […]

Redruth pushed hard by new boys

17 September 2017 0 comments

By BILL HOOPER Redruth 24 Wimbledon 15 REDRUTH were made to work hard by new boys Wimbledon before ensuring a late win. The Londoners were […]

Parker the hero in drama at the Dale

17 September 2017 0 comments

By BRIAN TILLEY LEAGUE leaders Tynedale maintained their 100 per cent record – but newly- promoted Huddersfield gave them a scare. Trailing 22-7 at halftime, […]

Worthing’s effort earns no reward

17 September 2017 0 comments

By THOMAS GOLDING Worthing 30 Reding’sians 40 AN EXCELLENT secondhalf spell for Redingensians was enough to see them past a spirited Worthing side. Mathew McLean […]

South battle back for thrilling victory

17 September 2017 1 comment

S Leicester 47 Sedgley Pk 37 By ANDY MOORE SOUTH Leicester came from behind in a highscoring thriller to beat Sedgley Park. After being behind […]

Hodgkinson can’t turn tide for Geese

10 September 2017 0 comments

By GARY REYNOLDS Reding’sians …44 LI Wild Geese …16 REDINGENSIANS Rams’ set-piece dominance ultimately proved too much for a lively London Irish attack. The scene […]

Tarrant turns on style to dispatch Rosslyn Park

10 September 2017 0 comments

By ALEX MARROW Rosslyn Park …6 Blackheath …25 BLACKHEATH continued their fine start to the season with an impressive win over Rosslyn Park. The visitors […]

Ed Griffiths leaves Worcester Warriors

10 September 2017 0 comments

EDWARD Griffiths left Worcester Warriors on Tuesday after his take over plans were rejected by the board. The former Saracens chief executive had been rumoured […]

Riley the man for the big occasion

10 September 2017 0 comments

By TONY MILES SEDGLEY Park survived a late Sale rally as they secured an eight-point victory in Manchester. Full-back Andrew Riley was the key man […]

Cinders on cloud nine with majestic rival rout

10 September 2017 1 comment

By NIGEL WILCE CINDERFORD ran in nine tries as they overwhelmed Clifton in a one-sided derby. They got off to a perfect start when they […]

Not even rain can dampen Mowden spirits

10 September 2017 1 comment

By MALLY KNOWLES Hull Ionians…15 Darlington MP27 DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK earned their second five-point victory of the season, whilst Ionians will have to wait another […]

Sharks confirm new back-room coaches

10 September 2017 0 comments

SALE have confirmed the appointments of scrum coach Dan Richmond and kicking coach Jon Callard. “Dan has been working with us for a couple of […]

Late Bennett kick gives Chester win

10 September 2017 0 comments

By STEVE SMITH Chester…25 Macclesf’d …22 CHESTER’S substitute fly-half Callum Bennett kicked a late penalty to secure a narrow home victory over Macclesfield. The hosts […]

Defence is crucial for Chinnoron derby day

10 September 2017 0 comments

By RICHARD JARVIS Chinnor …39pts Henley …20pts Safely home: Will Bordill touches down for his try PICTURES: Aaron Bayliss CHINNOR emerged with the honours from […]

Cullen kicks OEs into submission

10 September 2017 0 comments

By JON EDWARDS Old Elthamians13 Bishop’s Stort…19 GEORGE Cullen kicked four penalties as Bishop’s Stortford made it two wins from two in a hardfought encounter […]

Ben hopes resurgent Gloucester can revive his Test bid

10 September 2017 0 comments

By NEALE HARVEY BENMorgan is hell bent on winning back his England place and reckons Gloucester’s new spirit can thrust him into limelight when it […]

Skipper Holmes inspires Tigers to triumph

10 September 2017 0 comments

By NICK BRADLEY Sheffield Ts …22 Sheffield …18 CAPTAIN Ryan Holmes scored the decisive try as Tigers came from behind to beat their local rivals […]

Five-star Titans show no mercy on Reds

10 September 2017 2 comments

By KEVIN COSTER Old R’clifians …10 Taunton …48 THIS was Old Reds’ first home game at this level and at half-time they were in the […]

Freestone inflicts defeat on Esher

10 September 2017 0 comments

By NICK BURT Plymouth A …43 Esher …10 PLYMOUTH Albion returned to winning ways with a fine victory over Esher at The Brickfields. A try […]

How Rob inspired Chiefs with Seahawks mentalit

10 September 2017 2 comments

By NEALE HARVEY EXETER supremo Rob Baxter has revealed how NFL side Seattle Seahawks played an unlikely part in last season’s stunning Premiership triumph. A […]

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