NATIONAL ONE ROUND-UP – WEEK 22

BLACKHEATH blew the title race wide open with a 22-15 home win against table-toppers Rotherham Titans.

Noah Sloot and Billy Harding crossed early for Club, Sam Morley with a conversion for 12-0.

Lloyd Hayes cut the gap but Tom Hughes went over after the break for the hosts.

Hayes kicked a penalty before Harding carded an incredible 41st of the season, a converted Jackson Barling try salvaging a losing bonus for Titans.

They remain one clear at the summit ahead of a monumental home clash with second-placed Plymouth next Saturday.

Rotherham are on 92 points, Albion 91 and Blackheath 87 with four games to go.

Dogs bite back at Tonbridge

Sale remain outsiders for a play-off spot following a stunning 41-33 triumph at Tonbridge Juddians.

The hosts raced into a 19-0 advantage following a Tom Kendrick double and Curtis Barnes effort, Connor Lloyd with two kicks.

The Dogs replied through Mark Dixon and Tom Walsh, a Joe Green conversion further reducing the arrears.

Walsh doubled up before the break, only for a Barnes’ seven-pointer to make it 26-17.

But Sale rallied in sensational fashion, Evan Mintern, Corbin Thunder and Harry Davey all over as Green knocked over two kicks.

Lloyd converted Barnes’ hat-trick effort, only for Sale skipper Andy Hughes to have the final say.

Rosslyn, Stortford win high-scoring thrillers

Rosslyn Park kept their slim play-off hopes alive with a thrilling 43-40 home win against Clifton.

Tom Quinlan converted an Ollie Stirling try to put the visitors in front, only for the Londoners to reply through Charlies Piper and Walker.

Ed Morgan converted the former’s try, but Clifton nudged back in front with a Harry Hone seven-pointer.

Rosslyn, though, secured some breathing space as Morgan slotted after Tom Stanton crossed, Ewan Fenley sealing the try bonus-point.

George Davey replied for the Bristolians, but it was 31-19 at the break thanks to Ed Volley and Morgan’s boot.

Yet Clifton regained the lead as Quinlan landed following tries from Ollie Harris and Zak Hamid.

An incredible game took a decisive turn as Morgan added to a Murray Redpath effort and Max Fraine went over, Hamid’s late second salvaging an extra bonus for Clifton.

Leicester Lions’ relegation was confirmed following a 59-35 home loss to Bishop’s Stortford.

Luke Bouchier converted a James Stubbs try to put the bottom side in front, only for Stortford to level through Isaac Bell and David Hayes.

Stortford’s Tom Mills and Joey Patrick exchanged scores, Bouchier adding to the latter, before Jake Morris put the visitors 17-14 up.

The lead changed hands again twice more before the break, Liam Burrows and Tristan Smith exchanging seven-pointers.

Lions again hit the front as Bouchier added to Lui Natui’s try, only for Bell to double up, Hayes on target for 31-28.

Will Roberts put Leicester ahead again, but Chris Bolton converted final-quarter tries from Morris, Seva Kava, Tom Hitchcock and Mason Bartley-Ford to secure the win.

Key successes for Moseley and Dings

Birmingham Moseley leapfrogged Sedgley Park up to 10th as their narrow 22-20 home success dropped Tigers into the relegation zone.

Freddie Painter opened the scoring for Mose before their opponents hit back via a Sam Thorpe score and Oli Glasse penalty.

Jack Jolly levelled from the tee on 55 minutes before Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley added to a Tuoyo Egodo try.

Rhys Henderson cut the gap for Sedgley, but Aquile Smith’s stunning seven-pointer made it a two-score game.

And despite Glasse converting Danny Rylance’s effort seven minutes from time, Park could not complete the comeback.

Dings Crusaders jumped out of the bottom three with a high-scoring 62-31 home victory versus Leeds Tykes.

Toby Baker put the Bristolians in front before their opponents edged ahead as Eddie Crossland converted a Seth Eley try.

Baker doubled his tally, though, George Boulton on target before repeating the trick after Ethan Surrey touched down.

Leeds’ Will Dennis and Crusaders’ Tomas Gwilliam then exchanged seven-pointers to leave the hosts 26-14 up at the break.

And it was Dings who took control with Boulton adding to tries from Matt Jones (two) and Omar Ly.

Will Yates and Crossland responded for Leeds, but Harry Rowson’s try took the hosts past the half century.

Matt Salisbury crossed to ensure Tykes took a bonus-point away, but Brian Ncube and Sol Taufa went over for Dings.

Charlie Venables scored a late consolation for the visitors.

Rams picked up a bonus-point in a 60-26 loss at Plymouth.