Blaydon v Bedford Athletic
Bedford travel to Blaydon knowing that they need to win otherwise they will be returning to Midlands One next season as they are now 11 points from safety and can at most pick up 15 points from their remaining three matches.
Blaydon know a win here could lift them up the table in a very congested part of the table in the battle to avoid the drop down a level.
Recent form shows Blaydon picking up just two wins in their last six matches and dropping into the relegation zone. At Crow Trees this season they have a poor record with just four victories from 11 matches.
Bedford Athletic have shown some improved form of late but were left with too much to do and it caught up on them especially their dreadful away record. They have lost all 12 of their road trips this season and just a couple of wins would at least have given them a chance of escaping the drop back down after just one season.
When the sides met at Putnoe Wood earlier in the season the home side were convincing 34-10 winners.
Prediction: Home win by eight points.
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Cleckheaton v Darlington Mowden Park
The big match of the day at the bottom end of the table with victory for either side a huge boost in the battle to avoid the drop down to North One.
Cleckheaton were beaten last weekend at leaders Halifax but will be looking to put that result behind them with a home win which would go a huge way towards seeing them play National League rugby for another season and could even see them in the top half of the table.
Darlington Mowden Park after losing three in a row returned to winning ways last time out and will be hoping to make it two in a row although with the second worst away record in the division they will need a huge change of form. With just two away wins all season.
When these two met at Mowden Park early in the season Cleckheaton left as winners narrowly 16-13.
Prediction: Home win by six points.
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Darlington v Rugby Lions
Another big match with eighth placed Darlington entertaining 12th placed Rugby Lions at Blackwell Meadows with both sides desperate for the points.
Darlington are up in fourth spot in the Form Guide with four wins and a draw in their last six matches losing just the once recently to Cleckheaton early in February.
At home they have a good record with only the top four having better home record, they have picked up six wins and a draw in 11 matches losing just four times.
Rugby Lions are at thee wrong end of the Form Guide with five defeats in their last six matches although they did manage a draw last time out at home to Dudley Kingswinford.
On the road this season Rugby have managed three wins and a draw in 11 matches and what they would do for a fourth win on their travels.
At Webb Ellis Road earlier in the season the Lions were 28-16 winners.
Prediction: Home win by five points.
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Dudley Kingswinford v New Brighton
Second bottom Dudley Kingswinford entertain fifth placed New Brighton knowing nothing less than a win and they could well be relegated on Saturday.
DK are bottom of the Form Guide with just a win and a draw in their last six matches and know that they have to win their three remaining league matches to have a chance of escaping the drop. After this fixture they have games at home to Fylde and away at Kendal, and even three wins may not be enough.
New Brighton will be in confident mood after stopping leaders Halifax’s 100% start to the season with a 20 all draw. On the road this season they have a reasonable record with five wins in six matches and a win here could see them overhaul Fylde in fourth spot.
Recent form sees them in fifth place in the Form Guide with three wins and two draws in their last six matches.
When the sides met at Reeds Lane earlier in the season New Brighton were comfortable 29-12 winners.
Prediction: Away win by 10 points.
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Halifax v Kendal
Leaders Halifax will be looking to move a step closer towards the National Three North title with a home win over seventh placed Kendal.
Halifax could actually clinch the title on Saturday if they beat Kendal and Macclesfield slip up at home to Fylde.
They were convincing winners last weekend at home to Yorkshire rivals Cleckheaton thanks to a late try burst with three coming in quick succession near the end.
Kendal still need points to be safe, they are six points clear of the relegation zone but depending on the results on Saturday could find themselves a lot closer. After today they have home matches against Blaydon and Dudley and an away match at Darlington.
When these sides met at Mint Bridge earlier in the season the Yorkshire side were 17-10 winners with Kendal picking up a bonus point.
Prediction: Home win by 12 points.
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Macclesfield v Fylde
Second placed Macclesfield entertain Fylde looking to get out of reach of third placed Bradford & Bingley and a win here would go a long way towards that although this could well be a tough match.
Macclesfield will be looking to maintain their 11 point lead on Bradford & Bingley although the Yorkshire side do have a game in hand. After this game the Cheshire side have just two matches left a home match against Bradford & Bingley and an away trip to Darlington Mowden Park so a win this Saturday and away at DMP and Macclesfield would be home and dry regardless of the match between the two sides so long as they pick up bonus points in both matches.
Fylde are going for a third successive win after recovering form a run of three successive defeats. They are looking to finish fourth and hold of the challenge of New Brighton who are just four points behind them in the table.
When these two sides met at Woodlands earlier in the season it was the home side who ran out 20-5 winners.
Prediction: Home win by six points.
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Tynedale v Bradford & Bingley
This is a must win game for third placed Bradford & Bingley who travel to sixth placed Tynedale in search of all five points on offer.
Tynedale have been indifferent of late as the season finally catches up with them. They have lost four out of the last five matches. At home they have done well with six wins and a draw from their 11 matches and only four sides have left with a win.
The Bees are chasing Macclesfield but need somebody to do them a favour along the way as their fate is out of their hands they know they just have to pick up maximum points in their four remaining matches.
The Bees are looking for a fifth consecutive win this weekend and on the road this season have done ok with six wins and a draw in 11 matches to date.
When these two met earlier in the season the North East side shocked the Bees with a 45-28 success.
Prediction: Away win by five points.
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