Leaders Oundle left it late to beat bottom club Jersey, derby day at Fortress Fengate next weekend
Leaders Oundle Rugby Club survived an almighty scare in their National League 2 East clash at Jersey, the team who started the day at the bottom of the table.
Oundle weren’t helped by severe fog delaying their arrival at the game and they were 14-0 down after 25 minutes before winning 26-19 thanks to a last-gasp try, in the eighth minute of added time, from Chester Owen and conversion from Mark Adler.
It’s a ninth win in nine games for Oundle who remain four points clear of second-placed Esher ahead of a home game with Henley Hawks next Saturday (November 14, 2pm kick off).
Two converted tries gave Jersey that early advantage, but tries for Toby Trinder and Ben Brownie, both converted by Ben Young, made it 14-14 at the break.
Brownlie added a second try in the second-half, but 10 minutes from time a spirited home side barged over to bring the scores level again at 19-19.
Three yellow cards left Oundle fighting for their life, but a massive rearguard action ensured they held firm before the visitors broke away to win a penalty. That was kicked to the corner and Owen powered over from the resulting lineout.
Most other local teams had the weekend off, but there’s a big derby next Saturday when Peterborough RUFC host Stamford at Fortress Fengate (2.15pm) in Regional 2 Midlands East.
Borough have won five league games in a row after starting the season with a defeat and sit third in the table, five points off top spot. Stamford have had a stickier start with two wins from their first six matches and reside in eighth place, but they enjoyed a draw and a win against their big city rivals last season.
Borough director rugby Pete Kolakowski said: “We know they will bring a big, fit, well-coached side, and league positions mean nothing in a derby.
“We’re building momentum, but there’s plenty more to come from this group. Hopefully we can get a big crowd down to Fengate for what promises to be an absolute cracker.”