ONs’ play-offs hopes are all but over after a 22-16 defeat to title-chasing Bedford Athletic at Billing Road.
The result put an end to ONs’ promotion hopes, while also ending the club’s season-long unbeaten home record.
Although there is still a remote mathematical chance of a play-off place it looks as if they will finish fourth in what has proved to be an extremely closely-contested league.
Two first-half penalties from Alex Rose and a try from Jordan Brew, converted by Rose, looked to have given ONs a 13-10 half-time lead.
But with the whistle imminent, prop Ryan Taylor drove over from close range to give Athletic a 15-13 lead.
Within five minutes of the restart the ONs were again in front as Rose landed his third penalty.
But with 20 minutes left, Bedford second row Liam Lancaster leapt high to claim possession and plunge over and Mortimer converted to take the visitors six points ahead.
As the game drew to a close, Seymour raced 50 metres down the touchline to set up a series of scrums close to the Bedford line.
Two penaties and a free-kick against the opposition had the ONs’ soaked supporters pleading for a penalty try, but it wasn’t to be and Bedford claimed the win.
Team spirit leads Tows to a league double
Towcestrians completed a league double with a hard-fought win at Midlands One East rivals Matlock.
The victory was well deserved as there was a tremendous team spirit in the Towcestrians side.
After conceding penalties at the first three scrums, Tows’ pack decided to sit back and take the hit in the continuing scrum farce.
After retaining their discipline Tows began to get into the game, continuously battering Matlock’s line.
The Tows attack was short lived however as a pass was intercepted by winger Henry Packard, who raced away to score under the posts for the home team.
Fly-half Morton converted with ease.
Tows refused to sit back and let this undermine their efforts. Eugene Baxter in for the injured captain Liam Wilkinson twice crashing over to settle Tows’ nerves and finishing their pressure. Falvey converting both tries.
Matlock then came back with another try in this hotly-contested game, this time scored by full-back Alex Powell.
The try was again converted, 14-14 at the break.
As the rain began to sweep down in the picturesque setting that is Matlock Rugby Club, the Tows pack decided to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half as they camped in the hosts’ half. Matt Yuillthen put Tows ahead with an unconverted try.
Tows continued to dominate territory with Baxter and Gowler at the fore . Matlock however always looked capable at coming back in the game with a couple of dangerous plays.
Tows then at last found the necessary score as the pack sucked in as many players as possible the ball was released to Charlie Barker who expertly found Pepe Nanci in acres of space. Nanci dived over to create breathing space between the two teams.
This try also rewarded the side with a bonus point.
In a rare excursion to the Tows 22 Matlock were rewarded with a five-metre scrum only to lose it against the head for Tows to take this hard-fought but clean game.
Scouts’ switch-off is no Biggy
Old Scouts scored three first-half tries to inspire them to a 20-13 league victory over Biggleswade at Rushmere Road.
The home side led 20-3 at half-time and the second half should have seen Scouts comfortably home. But they switched off and two late tries from Biggy earned them a losing bonus point.
Scouts’ laziness continued on Tuesday night as they failed to dominate a less experienced side in a 21-20 defeat to Towcesterians in the Lewis Shield semi-final.
A Matt Brown try and five penalties from Adam Frost looked to have given Scouts enough points, even though they had a pushover try disallowed.
However, a spirited Tows team put together enough to squeeze home with their third try five minutes from the end.
Brackley seal league title
Brackley cemented their place as league champions of Midlands Four East (South) with one match to spare in what was ultimately a comfortable 34-3 win over fifth-placed St Neots.
The wet and windy weather, together with deteriorating conditions underfoot, were never going to be conducive to free-flowing rugby in what was Brackley’s last home game of the season.
Consequently most of the play was confined to a forward slog, as evidenced by four of Brackley’s six tries coming from the pack.
Two conversions completed their tally, while St Neots slotted a second-half penalty in reply.
Rivals beaten as Mens Own hold out hope
Mens Own went down to a disappointing 33-0 league defeat to Rugby St Andrews.
But it’s as you were in the battle to avoid the drop, with Own’s Midlands Three East (South) relegation rivals also suffering defeats.
Mens Own’s second team enjoyed a 69-0 win over BBOB at Ashton.
Beaten Buckby are set for the drop
Long Buckby are staring Midlands Three East (South) relegation in the face after their 44-7 defeat to Stewarts &Lloyds in Corby.
Buckby sit second from bottom of the table with just one game to play, and that is on Saturday at home to second-placed Rushden & Higham.