Festive Round-Up
Recap: how the action unfolded over the Christmas and New Year period in The Championship.
With six fixtures spread across four match days between 23 - 31 December, you'd be forgiven for losing track of what's been happening in English Rugby's second tier over the last few days. So, here's a recap of how the action unfolded over the Christmas and New Year period in The Championship.
Friday 23 December
Hatrpury and Cornish Pirates kicked off the festive period with a tightly fought contest at the Alpas Arena, and it was the hosts who came out on top, making it three wins from three in December and signing off 2022 in the top half of the table. Brad Denty, Matt Jones, and Luke Stratford all got on the scoresheet for Hartpury, with Alex Cant scoring the only try for the visitors.
Saturday 24 December
Ealing Trailfinders hosted Jersey Reds in a live-streamed clash from West London, with the Trailfinders taking a bonus-point win to leapfrog their opponents to the top of the table. Craig Hampson scored a brace en route to a MOTM performance, with Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Cian Kelleher, Ross Kane, and Craig Willis also getting on the scoresheet. The Reds picked up a try bonus point with scores from Alex McHenry, James Dun, Jordan Holgate, and Will Brown, but now sit one point behind Ealing in second place having played a game more.
Monday 26 December
Boxing Day saw three fixtures take place in The Championship, including a sell-out crowd at Goldington Road for the "Battle of Bedfordshire" between Bedford Blues and Ampthill. George Hendy ran in the first of six Blues tries with five minutes on the clock, and that was followed by scores from James Elliot, Jac Arthur, Dean Adamson, and a double from Matt Worley. Trailing by 38 points, Ampthill scored two late consolation tries through Beck Cutting and Tom Bacon.
Doncaster Knights ended the year in emphatic style, running in eight tries in a 52-14 victory against Caldy. Maliq Holden and Alex Dolly both crossed twice, with Connor Edwards, Will Holling, Joe Green, and Robbie Smith also getting in on the action. Caldy scored either side of half time, first through a penalty try and then through Oliver Hearn eight minutes after restart.
Coventry made the trip to Lady Bay, where they put in a dazzling display against Nottingham to secure their eighth win of the season. The Archers crossed through Nathan Tweedy, Marcus Ramage, and Harry Clayton, but the visitors were in irresistible form once again, running in seven tries with James Martin, Will Wand, Tom Dodd, Senitiki Nayalo, Josh Bainbridge, and Will Lane all getting on the scoresheet, as well as a penalty try.
Saturday 31 December
Richmond and London Scottish brought the curtain down on Round 11 with a New Year's Eve derby at The RAG. Alex Post crossed twice for the hosts, with Mark Bright also scoring against his old club, while The Exiles' only try came through the returning Aaron Morris. The result means Richmond climb above Cornish Pirates in the table, while Scottish remain rooted in 12th place, six points behind Caldy.
