Hamilton hat-trick enough for Oundle

■By BEN JAYCOCK

Working hard: Ellis Jones on the attack for Rams

PICTURE: Paul Clark

NATIONAL One newcomers Bury St Edmunds narrowly lost 38-36 to big spending National Two East’s Oundle in a pre-season warm-up played on Shelford’s 4G pitch due to drought.

Samir Kharbouch and George Loose crossed for Bury before Oundle surged into a 31-12 half-time lead, Rian Hamilton completing a hat-trick alongside tries from Cormac Colnan and Shay Kerry.

Bury responded impressively after the break. Matt Hicks scored from a catch-and-drive before man of the match Ruraidh Williams and Trystan Andrews reduced the deficit to two points.

Grant Snelling replied for Oundle before Andrews’ second try gave Bury hope, but a late knock-on ended their chance of victory.

Third-tier Rams made an encouraging start to pre-season with a 40-14 victory over Clifton, who were relegated from National One last season. Harry Bicknell opened the scoring before Willo Bicknell, Darren Atkins, Aaron Tull, Seb Burgess and Theo Pett-Ridge crossed. Atkins produced the highlight with a superb individual try from halfway.

National One’s Rosslyn Park recorded a 26-7 victory at fourth-tier Esher. Luke Mehson broke the deadlock before Park added further tries through Charlie Coe and new signing Fred Davies.

Havant, of National Two East, powered to a 81-7 victory over Bournemouth, scoring 13 tries. Will Perry, Sean Shepherd and Tyrese Makasi all grabbed try doubles. George Musselwhite, Ben Holt, Jac Moon and Liam Charleson were among the scorers as Havant dominated throughout.

Cambridge, relegated from the Champ, played a double header and began their day with a 21-0 victory over Hertford thanks to tries from Jake McCay, Will Wood and Josh Carr, with Benji Ritson supplying three conversions. The Blood & Sand later played newly promoted National Two East side Colchester and won 38-11 through Elis Caven’s brace plus further tries from Jasper Sorrell, Jake Parkinson, Pete White and Joe Hill. Colchester also beat Hertford 24-7.

Jersey were edged 19-12 by Pontypridd. Tommy Morgan’s try left Jersey 7-5 behind at half-time before their powerful maul produced a second through Adam Stratton. Lewis Rix and Nathan Elliot crossed after the break as Pontypridd pulled clear.

Dorking produced an impressive attacking display to thrash Taunton 62-12. Jack Thorn and Sam Blade crossed early before

Dorking established a 31-12 half-time advantage. Tom Newman scored twice after the interval, while George Head also crossed as Dorking’s strong defence and counter-attacking game overwhelmed their hosts.

Devonport Services, newly promoted to National Two West, beat Brixham 35-12 with tries from Ben Whysall, Charlie Groves, Liam Jarvis, Ben Sharp and Shaun Crawford.

London Welsh suffered a 36-19 pre-season defeat at Aberavon despite remaining level at 19-19 with 10 minutes remaining; National One’s Bishop’s Stortford beat Merthyr 27-19 and Sam Cahill was among the scorers as Champ side Cornish Pirates saw off newly promoted third tier outfit Camborne 50-28.

A number of pre-season matches were called off including Hull Ionians v Leeds Tykes and Sale FC v Macclesfield.