Round 5: Ereklasse Delivers Drama, Power, and Controversy

Round 5 of the Ereklasse lived up to all expectations — action-packed rugby, nail-biting finishes, and plenty of talking points by the final whistle on Saturday evening. The Dukes, Haagsche RC, and ’t Gooi remain unbeaten, while controversy loomed large as Rotterdam were docked five points over player registration issues involving a national squad member.

AAC 21 – 22 Oisterwijk Oysters

An edge-of-the-seat encounter in Amsterdam saw AAC narrowly fall short against the Oysters in a one-point thriller. AAC clearly targeted this fixture to bank crucial points, and although they came up just short, they walked away with a valuable losing bonus point — one that could prove decisive later in the season.

RFC Haarlem 65 – 19 BRC

Over in Haarlem, the hosts turned on the style, dismantling Breda with a commanding performance. After a rocky start to their campaign, Haarlem are hitting their stride and now find themselves comfortably mid-table. There’s a real sense that something special is building at Van der Aart Sportpark.

’t Gooi 41 – 12 Cas RC

The men from Naarden continue to impress, brushing aside Cas with clinical precision. While Cas remain in a rebuilding phase, ’t Gooi’s consistency and structure once again showed why they’re among the front-runners this season.

RC DIOK 5 – 19 RC Eemland

One of the headline clashes of the weekend didn’t disappoint. Eemland pulled off a superb away win in Leiden, toppling favourites DIOK in a gritty, physical affair. Diok led 5 – 0 for large part of the game, also dominating territory and possession, second half was different as the visitors must have had some stern words at the break. The visitors’ defensive discipline and patience in key moments made the difference as they walked away with four well-earned points on the road.

RC Hoek van Holland 3 – 19 Haagsche RC

Defending champions Haagsche were made to work for every metre in Hoek van Holland. The Hoekers pushed the reigning champs harder than most have this season, showing again why they’ve become one of the Ereklasse’s most improved sides — taking down Eemland and running The Dukes and Haagsche close in recent weeks. Haagsche’s experience, however, proved just enough to keep their unbeaten streak alive.

RRC 24 – 29 The Dukes

In Rotterdam, the pre-match narrative was dominated by the five-point deduction handed to RRC, and the absence of eight frontline players only added to their uphill battle. Yet the match was anything but one-sided. The Dukes, still unbeaten, had to dig deep to overcome a spirited Rotterdam side. Their powerful forward pack once again set the platform, applying relentless pressure and sealing a hard-earned victory that cements their status as early title contenders.

Round 5 had it all — drama, intensity, and storylines that will echo through the coming weeks. With The Dukes, Haagsche, and ’t Gooi all unbeaten, and teams like Eemland and Hoek van Holland proving dangerous challengers, the Ereklasse title race is shaping up beautifully.