Championship- Week 20

Five games this weekend, Friday and Saturday fixtures with plenty at stake for the teams.  Ealing Trailfinders play today, Saturday, as they entertain Ampthill.  But the 2nd and 3rd placed teams have already claimed bonus points wins.

First game saw Cornish Pirates make the long trek to Nottingham and, despite professing to be a side of free flowing rugby, came away with three forward tries and and a kick and chase try in a 29-7 success.  The Archers will be disappointed that a season that began with such promise is rapidly turning into a ' what if' campaign. Att: 1150

Friday night also saw 2nd placed Coventry host London Scottish. The wet  and cold conditions, greasy ball , certainly affected the hosts, tries from Rhys Anstey and Will Wand in the first period saw a 13-7 ht lead.  Tries from the retiring Will Chudley and Suva Ma'asi secured the bonus point win ahead of the winner takes second place clash at the Mennaye next Saturday.  MOTM was Matt Kvesic, but it must have been a very close choice with a thrilling Tobi Wilson performance earning praise.        Att: 2771

Coventry

Tries  Anstey, Wand, Chudley, Ma'asi

Cons Mitchell 2

Pens Mitchell

Saturday round-up to follow

Saturday's fixtures began with Hartpury facing Caldy with the hosts coming out on top in a 13 try thriller, eight for Hartpury. The final score was 57-36. Harry Bazalgette was 100% with the home conversion's.

Fourth placed Bedford played Doncaster Knights at Goldington Road and managed to overturn a 24-10 halftime deficit, claiming a narrow 32-29 BP win.  The Knights will be very disappointed at another unsuccessful Bedfordshire trip, following on from their recent Ampthill humbling, two bonus points earnt scant consolation for another hugely disappointing season.

Saturday's final fixture saw leaders Ealing cruise to a nine try home win over Ampthill, 57-14, now only one win from being crowned 2023/2024 Championship winners.