It was a weekend of mixed results for Scimitar teams last weekend across the English and Welsh leagues.
We start in Wales with what was the first Scimitar derby of the season the Ciner Glass Community Stadium, with Ebbw Vale facing Pontypridd. Despite tries from Dale Stuckey and Ryan Wilkins, Ebbw Vale took their first victory of the season beating Ponty 38-21. We have another Scimitar derby to look forward to this weekend, as Llandovery travel to Pontypridd’s Sardis Road on Saturday. Ebbw Vale also face a difficult task, facing last year’s league runners-up Cardiff away at Arms Park.
Talking of Llandovery, the reigning Indigo Group Premiership champions again asserted their dominance in the 23/24 season, beating Merthyr RFC 38-12 at Church Bank Playing Fields. After what was a high-tempo, end-to-end start in the soaring heat of the valley, Llandovery turned possession into points and took a 28-5 lead in to half-time. As the Drovers eased off, it allowed Methyr the chance to put some points on the board and mount a challenge, but Llandovery were too strong. The Drovers will travel to Pontypridd this Saturday as they look to continue their unbeaten league run.
Meanwhile, in the grand old region of Yorkshire, Rotherham Titans faced Wharfedale away from home this weekend in what turned out to be a classic National League 2 North battle. The Titans had to overcome the heat and a 14-3 halftime deficit and did so in style, stunning the hosts 34-19 at the Avenue. This result saw the Titans make it two wins from two and just one point behind league leaders Leeds Tykes. The Titans welcome winless Lymm to Clifton Lane this weekend, and will be eager to stretch their unbeaten record as they look to bounce back to Nationa League 1 for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.
A 130-mile round trip tor Hereford RFC was in store as they travelled to Kenilworth in Warwickshire to face Berkswell & Balsall in the Regional 2 Midlands (West). Another strong performance saw Hereford thump their opponents 57-14. Adding this victory to their opening day draw with Malvern, Hereford climbed up to 4th in the league. It’s a home fixture on the weekend, as Hereford welcome Silhillians at Wyeside.
It was a lesson in conversions for Worcester RFC as they were rolled over 52-10 by by local rivals Malvern. as they battled in intense heat at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Oddly enough, it was exactly the same defeat Worcester recorded last week on the road to Shipston on Stour. These results will need to be quickly suppresse as Worcester welcome Berkswell & Balsall to Westons Fields this weekend.
Barkers Butts welcomed Birmingham & Solihull to The Bob Coward Memorial Ground to compete in their annual memorial match. Barkers Butts dismantled Birmingham & Solihull with a 65-0 win to go top of the Counties 2 Midlands West (East) league. Butts will travel to struggling Coalville this weekend looking for a third win in a row.
It was the first win of the season for Woodrush Rugby as they beat Old Wheatleyans 42-32 in what was a score-heavy, pulsating game of rugby. Like Barkers Butts, the game fell on their annual Memorial Day so the win was made that little bit sweeter. Woodrush travel to Birmingham & Solihull this weekend, who will be bruised after their crushing 65-0 defeat last time out.
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