National Leagues

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

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 […]

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 […]

Jake: I’m still Sharp enough to reach the top

10 September 2017 1 comment

By NEALE HARVEY GIFTED London Scottish fly-half Jake Sharp reckons he can still force his way into the Premiership despite appearing to have missed out […]

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 […]

Holford joy after Lions tamed in derby win

10 September 2017 1 comment

By ANDY MOORE SOUTH Leicester head coach Michael Holford was ecstatic to get revenge for two derbyday defeats last season, as his side defeated local […]

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 […]

Freemen’s protest as their historic clubhouse demolished

10 September 2017 1 comment

OLDFreemen’s RFC, one of Surrey’s oldest clubs, will be homeless as they start their season after their historic clubhouse was demolished in a “sad and […]

Impressive Hinckley too strong for Field

10 September 2017 1 comment

By ANDREW SMITH Huddersfield …3 Hinckley …24 HINCKLEY’S bright start to the season continued with their first win on the road in an absorbing contest […]

Canterbury shake off their hangover

10 September 2017 0 comments

By GARETH WILLIAMS Tonbridge …24 Canterbury …36 CANTERBURY built on an early lead to take the honours and even denied TJs a losing bonus point. […]

Smokin’ Joe’s late break downs Lucs

10 September 2017 0 comments

By NICK PULLEN Stourbridge…30 Luctonians …25 FLYING full-back Joe Heatley’s sizzling secondhalf break ultimately settled this hard fought local derby as Stour snatched victory over […]

Slick Raiders give the Dons a lesson

10 September 2017 0 comments

By CALUM FRASER Wimbledon …15 Worthing …31 WORTHING earned a bonus point with this convincing win over league new boys Wimbledon. It was a lively […]

Otley remain firm as Dale defeated

10 September 2017 0 comments

By ED WILLIAMS Wharfedale …14 Otley …17 OTLEY soaked up immense pressure from Wharfedale and secured a valiant victory, despite having their backs to the […]

20 QUESTIONS

10 September 2017 0 comments

ALEX O’MEARA CORNISH PIRATES WING How was your opening game at Ealing Trailfinders? We played pretty well and we thought we did enough to win […]

Horrocks try seals victory for Islanders

10 September 2017 1 comment

London & South East Premier GUERNSEY Raiders made it two from two with a 25-17 win at home to Sutton & Epsom. They led 17-7 […]

Phoenix are rising after moving south

10 September 2017 0 comments

Midlands Premier DONCASTER Phoenix and Peterborough Lions both made it a perfect ten points out of ten, whilst Birmingham & Solihull Bees joined them in […]

Ruthless Hull set down an early marker

10 September 2017 1 comment

Northern Premier IT WAS two from two as Hull, with a 0-30 win at promoted Pocklington, already look to be one of the sides to […]

Jess shows his class for table-toppers

10 September 2017 1 comment

South West Premier NEWTON Abbot are riding high at the top of the South West Premier after recording an emphatic 54-5 victory over Westonsuper- Mare. […]

Hayes makes name for himself at Caldy

10 September 2017 0 comments

By JAMIE RUSSELL Caldy…37 Fylde …19 CALDY announced themselves onto the National One scene with a stunning victory over north-west rivals Fylde. The crowd were […]

New RFU boss Brown has a big job – save our game!

10 September 2017 0 comments

Rugby lover: New RFU chief executive Steve Brown follows the game The news that the RFU have appointed Steve Brown as CEO should bring a […]

Amps overcome slow start to win

10 September 2017 0 comments

By WARREN KAY Ampthill …28 Old Albanian…24 AMPTHILL welcomed Old Albanian to Dillingham Park and sent them packing after a narrow home victory. Amps conceded […]

Lions wing Daly stays at Wasps

10 September 2017 1 comment

BRITISHand Irish Lion and England international Elliot Daly has extended his contract with Wasps. The 24 year-old has made 157 appearances for the club since […]

Hirskyj-Douglas seals it for ‘Boro

10 September 2017 0 comments

Cambridge …9 L’borough St…14 By STEVE JACKSON THE weather sent game plans out of the window at Grantchester Road, but a try 17 minutes from […]

Matson to leave Bath and return to NZ

10 September 2017 0 comments

TABAIMatson will leave his position as Bath head coach next week to return to New Zealand due to family reasons. Matson, who joined at the […]

”Near-perfect” past an ailing Cov ease Moseley

10 September 2017 0 comments

By JOHN WILKINSON Flying in: James Stokes goes over for Coventry Coventry …50pts Tries: Makaafi 12, Dacres 18, Stokes 32, 62, Brazier 40, Grove 44, […]

Vickers granted Falcons testimonial

10 September 2017 0 comments

NEWCASTLE Falcons have granted a testimonial year to long-serving prop Rob Vickers. The 35-year-old has made 233 appearances for the Falcons over more than a […]

Murphy inspires Barum’s stirring fightback

10 September 2017 0 comments

By ANDREW JONES Barnstaple…29 Redruth …24 BARNSTAPLE made it back-to-back bonus-point wins at the start of the season in a thriller against Redruth. A late […]

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 […]

Warren Seals a fine win for DMP on return

3 September 2017 1 comment

By KEVIN ROBINSON Darl’gton MP 33 Loughboro’ 23 DARLINGTON Mowden Park opened their season with maximum points against a Loughborough Students side who looked sharp […]

Delighted Tring quickly adapt to step-up

3 September 2017 0 comments

London & SE Premier PROMOTEDTring got their season off to the best possible start with a 32-26 win at home to Westcombe Park. Harry Thoroughood […]

Tarrant keeps his nerve at the death

3 September 2017 0 comments

By GRAHAM COX Blackheath 32 Plymouth A 31 THIS was a terrific contest to start off the new season with eight tries, a lead that […]

Hat-trick hero Johns is scorching back

3 September 2017 0 comments

midlands Premier SPEED merchant Steve Johns marked his return to Birmingham and Solihull ranks by running in a hat-trick of tries as they beat Scunthorpe […]

Esher cut loose to give OEs a lesson

3 September 2017 1 comment

By JON EDWARDS Esher 39 O Elthamians 14 OLD Elthamians were handed a lesson in the harsh realities of life in National One by a […]

Heap leads way as Hull make statement

3 September 2017 1 comment

Northern Premier HAVING finished third last season, Hull certainly made their intentions known with a resounding 31-13 win at home to Rossendale. Hull crossed for […]

Exciting Blues Challenged to keep up level of intensity

3 September 2017 1 comment

By JACKSON COLE Bishop’s Stort 49pts Tries: Tomlinson 17, Riddington 21, Banks 35, Roberts 56, George 63, Cullen 66 Conversions: Cullen 17, 21, 35, 56, […]

Abbots look part with a 67-point haul

3 September 2017 0 comments

South West Premier NEWTON ABBOT ran in ten tries to go top after an emphatic 67-12 victory over Bracknell. Ex-Exeter Chiefs player Matt Jess ran […]

Spot-on Rayner signs off fighting Ampthill revival

3 September 2017 0 comments

By DAVE LAWRENCE B Moseley 21 Ampthill 21 LAWRENCE Rayner kept his cool to kick a last minute penalty to earn visitors Ampthill a share […]

Law changes should make game better for everyone

3 September 2017 1 comment

JEFF PROBYN The first weekend of the season and you can almost taste the excitement and expectation as players and fans breath a sign of […]

Dramatic late try rescues draw for Chinnor

3 September 2017 0 comments

By ROGER OPIE Clifton 24 Chinnor 24 ORISI Nawaqaliva’s lastgasp try rescued a draw for Chinnor after a roaring second-half fightback by hosts Clifton. It […]

Fylde on receiving end as pressure pays off

3 September 2017 2 comments

By HENRY WOODSFORD Fylde 12 Cambridge 25 A STRONG second-half performance from Cambridge earned them a deserved victory. Conditions at Woodlands suited a running game, […]

Super six for Otley as Bridge is burned

3 September 2017 0 comments

By JOHN FINCH Otley 21 Stourbridge 42 STOURBRIDGE ran in six tries past a valiant Otley side to secure a comfortable 42-21 victory in an […]

Tonbridge run riot in opening clash

3 September 2017 0 comments

By CLAIRE FISHER B St Edmunds 17 Tonbridge 50 A NEW-LOOK Bury St Edmunds side started their campaign against Tonbridge, who, fresh from promotion, were […]

Nine tries as Cov look like favourites

3 September 2017 0 comments

By MALLY KNOWLES Hull Ionians 20 Coventry 63 WHETHER Coventry are potential champions is a moot point, but this ninetry victory underlines their ambitions. Ionians […]

Blaydon stunned by an ex-All Black

3 September 2017 2 comments

By STEVE SMITH Hinckley 52 Blaydon 26 FORMER All Black Scott Hamilton was among the try-scorers as Hinckley condemned title picks Blaydon to defeat in […]

Henley roar back to conquer Reds

3 September 2017 1 comment

By NICK PITSON Henley 28 R’gensians 24 HENLEY got their season off to a winning start by coming from behind to take local bragging rights […]

Park unstoppable as OAs collapse

3 September 2017 1 comment

By BRIAN QUINN Old Albanians 0 Rosslyn Park 58 A DOMINANT Rosslyn Park started their season in style as they ran in nine tries. Will […]

Depledge misses late shot at glory

3 September 2017 1 comment

By ROGER KEEGAN Sheffield 31 Luctonians 32 SHEFFIELD were denied a win on their first taste of National Two rugby as Steve Depledge pulled a […]

Double try joy for Hone as Cind bag win

3 September 2017 1 comment

By NIGEL WILCE Canterbury 17 Cinderford 39 A STRONG second half performance from Cinderford saw them eventually run out comfortable winners at Canterbury. The first […]

Shocked Devon club find their HQ wrecked

3 September 2017 1 comment

NEWS EXTRA By NICK VERDIER TORRINGTON Rugby Club were forced to start their season thinking about how to rebuild their clubhouse after it was vandalised […]

Macc are back as Barker pulls the strings

3 September 2017 0 comments

By MATT COLERIDGE Macclesfield 41 Wharfedale 15 MACCLESFIELD returned to National Two with a resounding win against Wharfedale, but had to weather a first-half storm […]

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