Week Eight: Seasonal Joy

Big footfall (mostly), and big results.

The final round of Championship rugby played out either side of the big day, with some of the largest crowds in attendance for some time, and some eye-opening scorelines keeping those spectators on their toes.

Four games took place on Christmas Eve, and one on Boxing Day, with Ealing taking the obligatory, unwanted, rest.

Ampthill was the busy (moving them up three places in the attendance averages and no doubt boosting club coffers into the bargain) scene of the Bedfordshire derby, with visitors Bedford maintaining their fine run of form - and try-scoring - with a 22-31 victory. The hosts failed to secure a bonus point, crossing three times, to Bedford's five, consequently slipping slightly in the table.

Attendance: 2837

One of two upsets played out on the Wirral, as Caldy refused to roll over in favour of the rapidly improving Doncaster Knights. Both sides failed to gain the try bonus, both scoring three from the hand, with the difference being Caldy's performance from the tee, giving them a superb 24-19 win, and closing the gap, somewhat, on Hartpury, while opening up a handy gap above London Scottish.

Attendance: 1600

Cornish Pirates have seen their form improve lately, and their reward was their largest footfall for some years, who witnessed a low-scoring win for the home side. The difference was a penalty try in a 2-1 final outcome, lifting the Pirates up the table, and leaving Hartpury in eighth place, with the side below them breathing down their necks.

Attendance: 2474

Arguably the most surprising result (with no disrespect to Caldy) came at the Athletic Ground, where London Scottish fell to new boys Cambridge who gained their first win of the season.

Both sides gained the four try bonus, with the visitors' accuracy from the tee making the difference in a 26-28 scoreline

It's just a shame that local rugby-goers didn't get the pre-match memo. Or did they know something?

Attendance: 520

Very nearly ten times the number of spectators who bothered in south west London witnessed Coventry's 150th Anniversary match against Nottingham.

Cov stretched away in the first half, scoring three times (plus a penalty goal) to Nottingham's once for a 22-7 lead at the break. As has almost become obligatory though,the second half saw the opposition claw back some ground, crossing three times, but not seriously threatening Cov, who hit back with two, and a further spot-kick, to run out 37-21 victors in a 5-0 win.

The Butts Park attendance record was smashed on the day, demonstrating the local appetite for Boxing Day Rugby. Wouldn't it be good to see Moseley back at level two? You'd need to reserve your tickets very early.

As the club tweeted: "Are you watching, Bill Sweeney". I think we know the answer, sadly.

Attendance: 5047

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and that the New Year, and the rest of 2024 will see some better news for everyone.

See you then.

Championship Standings

Ealing: Played 6, Won 5, Points 26

Doncaster: 7, 5, 25

Bedford: 6, 5, 24

Coventry: 7, 4, 22

Nottingham: 8, 4, 22

C. Pirates: 6, 4, 20

Ampthill: 7, 3, 17

Hartpury: 8, 3, 17

Caldy: 6, 3, 15

L. Scottish: 7, 1, 9

Cambridge: 8, 1, 9

Average Attendances

Coventry: 3549 (4 played)

Bedford: 2574 (4)

Doncaster: 2064 (3)

C. Pirates: 1621 (4)*

Caldy: 1379 (3)

Ampthill: 1282 (5) 

Cambridge: 1192 (3)

Nottingham: 1143 (3)

Ealing: 1024 (2)

L. Scottish: 706 (3)

Hartpury: 658 (3)

*Round Six figure not reported