The big game in DII club rugby last week could well have been Cleveland Rovers against Cleveland Eastern Suburbs. It was a local rivalry match between two 3-1 teams.

In a classic grudge match, the Rovers edged Eastern Suburbs 28-23.

The Rovers tried raining high balls down on the ES team, but found their opposing deep three to be solid enough. And that tactic began, in fact, to backfire as Suburbs scored two penalties and two tries to lead 18-7.

However, a key try from wing Scott Wallace edged the Rovers closer, and then with 15 minutes to go, Steve Burke and then Wallace scored two late tries to win it. Derek Imes was excellent with his kicking and Tyler Best, Tony Spooner, and No. 8 Tony Brown all had a hand in the victory.

That game was dramatic, while it was almost anticlimactic in MARFU, where undefeated Wilmington disposed of undefeated Roses by 34 points.

Wilmington is still behind the Roses thanks to having played one game fewer, but are certainly now the team to beat in MARFU North. They take on winless Hibernians this weekend. In the South it’s all up for grabs, but most will notice Rocky Gorge having scored 90 on the league leaders, Severn River. Gorge is idle, Severn River has to rebound against Washington Irish.

New England is idle this weekend, with Portland, Albany, and Burlington all undefeated so far at 4-0.

In the Empire Conference around the greater New York City area, Danbury and Montauk won again to go to 4-0. Danbury faces Buffalo Bs, who are 3-1, this weekend, and Montauk faces 3-1 Rockaway, so we could see some serious changes in the standings if the underdogs win. Princeton, also 3-1, takes on winless Bayonne and could make a big jump no matter what the other results are.

Back to the Midwest, the Rovers are in good shape now, but have not shaken Pittsburgh

Michiana is an impressive 5-0 but are idle this weekend.

Metropolis, Bremer County and Eastside are all 4-1 in the Midwest West Pool 1, and that doesn’t look like changing much.

In MW-West 2 Lincoln Park leads, but thanks to an extra game, over undefeated Wisconsin. The Wisconsin team has a very winnable game this weekend, while Lincoln Park faces Chicago rivals South Side Irish, who are 3-2 and just itching to play spoiler.

The West also gets going this weekend. Park City Haggis visits Glendale in Colorado, and Queen City faces off with Colorado Springs.