NATIONAL ONE ROUND-UP – WEEK 10

ROTHERHAM Titans returned to the top of the National One table with a hard-fought 24-19 home win against fellow title hopefuls Blackheath.

The visitors took the lead as scrum-half Jordan Burns touched down, only for Roth to reply with Lloyd Hayes converting a JB Bruzulier try and then landing a penalty.

Jake Hennessey added the extras after Billy Harding dotted down to nudge Club back in front, but a converted Sinjin Broad score and penalty try had Titans 24-12 up at the break.

The prolific Harding grabbed a 19th in 10 games, converted by Matt Dalrymple, but it was only enough to secure Blackheath a losing bonus-point after the break.

Park stunned as Sale stop TJs

Rosslyn Park dropped to second after being stunned 37-29 at Clifton.

The Bristolians took command early as Ollie Millner slotted a penalty and then converted Jon Snow’s try, Park levelling through a Charlie Walker five-pointer and the boot of Bill Johnston.

Clifton responded, though, and led 20-10 at the break thanks to a Brad Talbot try and another conversion and penalty from Millner.

A Luke Mehson score cut the gap to five points before Millner slotted his third penalty, Talbot’s converted effort making it 30-15.

Park refused to lie down and were right back in the contest following converted tries from Max Fraine and Ed Volley, but the hosts held their nerve and sealed the deal with Millner finishing the job after Naquan Smith touched down late on.

Fifth-placed Sale FC made it back-to-back wins with a 33-26 home success against Tonbridge Juddians.

The Dogs struck early with Joe Green and Josh Brown crossing in the opening 11 minutes, the former converting both.

Former Ram Vince Everitt cut the gap for TJs, Connor Lloyd with the extras, but an Oli Davies seven-pointer made it 21-7 to Sale at the interval.

A second from Davies, Green again on target, extended the lead, before the visitors roared back.

Lloyd was first to croass, followed by Tom Kendrick and Tom Mannix, and with Lloyd and Sam Evans adding a conversion apiece, it was suddenly 28-26.

However, Sale held their rivals off with Fergus Mulchrone collecting their fifth try of the afternoon.

Tigers edge Moseley as Stortford show class

Sedgley Park moved into the top half of the table with a thrilling 28-27 home triumph against now bottom Birmingham Moseley.

The visitors built an early 12-0 advantage after Aquile Smith and Sam Clarke crossed the whitewash, Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley adding a conversion before missing a penalty and the second set of extras.

Ollie Glasse added to an Austin Downham effort for Tigers before the break, and they hit the front when he repeated the trick after Sam Thorpe touched down midway through the third quarter.

Ben Pogson went over to nudge Moseley 17-14 up, Smith’s second extending the advantage.

But Glasse landed two more conversions after Lewis Bradley and Bertie Bradshaw went over, Moseley missing another potential match-winning kick following Will Safe’s late try.

Bishop’s Stortford backed up their season-resetting triumph against Rams with a come-from-behind 48-29 home victory against Leicester Lions.

Luke Bouchier converted his own try and one from Bronson Mellowes before Ben Park also touched down to fire the visitors 19-0 up inside 15 minutes.

But Stortford hit back hard, Jake Morris, Ollie Jones, Sam Johnson and Tom Hitchcock all crossing before the break, David Hayes with three conversions.

A Bouchier penalty meant it was 26-22 at the break, but Bishop’s turned the screw after the break as a Hamish Ferguson seven-pointer and a Harry Clarke brace made the game safe.

Freddie St John secured a bonus-point for Leicester, but Stortford had the final word thanks to Tristan Smith.

Tykes continue resurgence

Leeds Tykes climbed out of the relegation zone following a bonus-point 26-17 home success against Dings Crusaders.

The hosts led 12-0 midway through the first half after Max Thatcher and Seb Krippner dotted down, Seramaia Turagabeci Bai converting the second.

Yet things were level at half-time as Evan Morris and George Boulton went over for Crusaders, Lewis O’Grady adding to the latter’s try.

A Louis Guthrie seven-pointer restored the hosts’ advantage, another from Lucas Walsh having Tykes strongly in command.

And despite Harry Rowson going over at the death, it was merely a consolation for the Bristolians.

Rams suffered a third straight defeat as they went down 34-15 at home to third-placed Plymouth Albion.