Check out our previews and predictions ahead of the weekends matches.
Nuneaton v Tynedale
Leaders Nuneaton take on an in form Tynedale side who have risen up the table to sixth place after a bad start to the season.
Nuneaton lost their 100% record in the league last Saturday away at Preston Grasshoppers when they drew 13 all and lost their scrum half Huw Thomas with a serious leg injury. They still remain top of the table just two points ahead of Blaydon and Preston.
Tynedale after suffering successive losers in their opening two fixtures have responded really well winning four in a row to climb the table and twice topped the 40 point mark in matches.
A win could see the North East side rise up to second place in the table depending on other results.
Tynedale went to Liberty Way earlier in the season and knocked Nuneaton out of the Powergen National Trophy.
They last met in the league in March 2003 when Nuneaton were comfortable home winners 42-6 but earlier in the season they had lost at Tynedale 24-3. Tynedale did win at Liberty Way in the league in the 2001/02 season 15-13.
Prediction: Tough call this one could go either way but will go, home win by three.
Hull Ionians v Preston Grasshoppers
Unbeaten Preston travel to 12th placed Hull Ionians looking to return to winning ways after last Saturday’s draw against league leaders Nuneaton.
Ionians were beaten at Darlington last Saturday as they slumped to their fifth defeat in six matches since their return to National Three North.
They have picked up three losing bonus points in their five defeats whilst nobody else in the division has managed more than one which suggests they have done reasonably well but not quite had enough. They have the sixth best defensive record in the division. Last Saturday they had Nick Cooper back, after two seasons away, doing the goal kicking and that could prove vital in tight matches.
Hoppers drew for an amazing third time in six league matches this season and maintain their unbeaten start to the season as they failed to pick up a four try bonus point for the first time this season.
These two sides met in Powergen North One last season and it was honours even but both sides won their away match in the fixture. Hull were 20-11 winners at Lightfoot Green whilst Hoppers were 22-18 winners at Brantingham Park.
Two seasons earlier in this division Hoppers did the double over Hull winning this fixture narrowly 21-19.
Prediction: Away win by 10 points.
Leicester Lions v Darlington
Seventh placed Leicester Lions entertain fifth placed Darlington knowing a win will move them above them in the National Three North league table.
The Lions were beaten at Darlington Mowden Park last Saturday as the look to avoid a Darlington double at Westleigh Park after being out scored six tries too one.
They have won two out of three at home with only league leaders Nuneaton leaving Westleigh Park with a win this season.
Darlington were home winners last Saturday against Hull Ionians with No 8 Alan Brown bagging a hat trick to take his tally to seven for the season.
If the results went the right way and Darlington took all five points on offer they could end the day level on points with leaders Nuneaton who have a far superior points difference.
This is the first ever league meeting between the two sides.
Prediction: Away win by five points.
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