Week 8 Round-Up: Dukes Dominate as Eemland and Rotterdam Rise

10 November 2025 – Ereklasse Heren (1e fase)

The eighth round of the Ereklasse delivered everything fans could ask for high tempo rugby, surprise results, and clear signs that the business end of the season is approaching fast. The table is starting to take shape, and while The Dukes continue to stretch their lead at the summit, the chasing pack is heating up with Eemland and Rotterdam both producing statement wins.

Dukes Getting Comfortable at the Top

At this point, it’s getting a little lonely at the top for RC The Dukes. The Den Bosch powerhouse made it eight wins from eight with a convincing 38–14 victory over RC DIOK, extending their unbeaten run and solidifying their place as the team to beat. The Dukes’ blend of power and precision continues to overwhelm opponents — and their +225 point differential tells its own story.

Coach Endy Egonu’s men look increasingly polished each week, with the forwards laying a solid platform and the backline executing clinical finishes. It’s not a matter of if they make the championship phase it’s a matter of how far ahead they’ll be when they do.

Eemland’s Statement Win Over ‘t Gooi

One of the standout fixtures of the weekend saw RC Eemland take down RC ’t Gooi 34–24 at home in Amersfoort. It was a massive result for the men in Black and Gold, who have now firmly reinserted themselves into the top-four conversation.

Eemland showed grit and intent, dominating territory and finishing their chances efficiently. Eemland had to work hard trailing 10 – 21 in the first half, they ended up outscoring the visitors by 24 points to 3 by the 80th minute. A last gasp try to seal it for Eemland showed how much theyve grown the more/longer they play together. The win pushes them to fourth in the standings with 23 points, and perhaps more importantly, sends a message to the traditional top sides — they’re not just here to participate; they’re here to compete.

Rotterdam Power Past Haagsche

Meanwhile, in The Hague, Rotterdamse RC (RRC) stunned Haagsche RC with a superb 34–24 away victory. RRC have quietly been building momentum this season, with tough fights for Rotterdam on and off the field, the team showing character by focusing on rugby played on the field rather than backroom staff rugby imposed on them each week.

Their physical edge and expansive attacking play proved too much for Haagsche, who despite scoring four tries, couldn’t contain Rotterdam’s backline flair and set-piece dominance. RRC now sit just one point behind Eemland, and their +90 point differential shows they’re a team that knows how to score.

Other Results: Haarlem Hold On, AAC Find Form

Elsewhere, RFC Haarlem edged out Cas RC 45–35 in a high-scoring thriller, RFC Oisterwijk Oysters claimed a tight 26–20 win over RC Hoek van Holland, and AAC finally had reason to celebrate with a much-needed 44–32 win against BRC.

Those results tighten things up in the middle of the table, where teams from 6th to 9th are separated by just ten points making every fixture crucial as we head into the final stretch of the second block phase.

Ereklasse Standings (After Week 8)