National League 1 review
Dec
A thrilling second half of the season lies ahead in National One with just five points separating first from fourth.
Ealing Trailfinders continue to lead the division but a run of one win in four games has seen their rivals make up lost ground in the race for the title. They were
held to a draw by hosts Blackheath on Saturday, with the second of Sam Wardingley’s tries – five minutes from time – saving Mike Cudmore’s men.
Rosslyn Park and Fylde find themselves four points adrift of Ealing, while Jersey, who might come to rue their five- point deduction for an administrative error
earlier in the season, are one point further back in the table.
A 44-13 bonus- point victory over Barking sets Park up nicely for this weekend’s clash with Ealing, Dom Shabbo helping himself to a brace of tries, while ace
kicker Ross Laidlaw contributed 14 points. Fylde fought hard to see off the threat of Cinderford in a 37-22 win at the Woodlands and Jersey notched their
tenth straight league win after a 42-3 success at Birmingham & Solihull.
Tynedale celebrated the return from injury of last season’s leading try scorer, Gavin Beasley, with their biggest win of the season. Sedgley Park were on the
receiving end of the rout, going down to a 61-17 defeat at Corbridge. Blaydon also won at the weekend, 26-28 against Cambridge, while Wharfedale made it
four wins on the bounce away to Coventry and Macclesfield edged out Stourbridge.
