2018/19 National One fixtures released!

Gavin Lach’s men step into unknown territory when they make the long trip to Clifton Lane in the season opener on September 1st to take on Rotherham Titans who were relegated last season from the Championship.

It’s followed by a much shorter trip the following week (September 8) when they lock horns again with local rivals Blackheath at Well Hall in one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures of the season. Honours were even in the first two league meetings between the clubs last season, OEs winning 32-7 at College Meadow, Blackheath winning the return in April 28-23. The two sides will meet again on December 22 in the Christmas fixture at College Meadow.

Elthamians make their home bow on September 15th at College Meadow with another difficult clash against last season’s runners-up Darlington Mowden Park, before travelling to Rosslyn Park a week later. A home game with last season’s seventh placed team Birmingham Moseley completes the opening month of fixtures for the Old Boys.

“To be honest, it really couldn't get much tougher, unless you threw in Ampthill and Plymouth in there as well,” Director of Rugby Gavin Lach admitted. “Most people would pick Rotherham, Darlington and Blackheath to be in the leading group of clubs chasing the title this season so we know we need to hit the ground running come September 1st. We can't afford to start slowly otherwise before you know it, you’re heading into October already playing catch-up.”

Other fixtures of note see Elthamians return to the scene of their famous Play-off victory on October 6th when they travel to Heywood Road to take on newly promoted National Two North champions Sale. Then on October 20, they renew their rivalry with newly promoted Chinnor at Kingsey Road who won their National Two South Play-off after beating Sedgley Park.

Old Elthamians
2018/19 National One Fixtures

2018

Sept 1 v Rotherham (A)
Sept 8 v Blackheath (A)
Sept 15 v Darlington MP (H)
Sept 22 v Rosslyn Park (A)
Sept 29 v Birmingham Moseley (H)

Oct 6 v Sale (A)
Oct 13 v Loughborough (H)
Oct 20 v Chinnor (A)
Oct 27 v Esher (H)

Nov 3 v Plymouth Albion (A)
Nov 17 v Ampthill (H)
Nov 24 v Cambridge (A)

Dec 1 v Caldy (H)
Dec 8 v Cinderford (A)
Dec 15 v Bishop’s Stortford (H)
Dec 22 v Blackheath (H)

2019
Jan 5 v Darlington MP (A)
Jan 12 v Rosslyn Park (H)
Jan 19 v Birmingham Moseley (A)
Jan 26 v Sale (H)

Feb 2 v Loughborough (A)
Feb 9 v Chinnor (H)
Feb 16 v Esher (A)

Mar 2 v Plymouth Albion (H)
Mar 9 v Ampthill (A)
Mar 23 v Cambridge (H)
Mar 30 v Caldy (A)

April 6 v Cinderford (H)
April 13 v Bishop’s Stortford (A)
April 27 v Rotherham (H)

Updated 17:10 - 30 Aug 2019 by Jon Edwards