Check out out previeews and predictions ahead of the weekends matches.
North Walsham v Havant
Leaders North Walsham take on second placed Havant looking to get over last weeks first league defeat of the season.
North Walsham after five wins out of five and maximum points were beaten last Saturday at Dings Crusaders.
In three home matches so far this season they have topped the 40 point mark each time but after last week I am sure they would settle for just the win.
Last Saturday Havant had an excellent win at Hooks Lane over Lydney who they replaced in second spot after the win which saw them pick up all five points on offer.
They have played just twice away in the league so far this season and after a narrow 11-10 loss at Bracknell were winners at Hertford 27-21 and go into this match looking for a fifth straight win which could see them go top of the table if they were to take maximum points.
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When these sides met last season on Havant’s return to the National Leagues Havant were winners at Scottow 32-17 having been beaten at home earlier in the season by North Walsham 24-15.
Prediction: Home success by six points.
Reading v Bracknell
The bottom two meet at Holme Park with both sides desperate for a win to try and close the gap over the fourth bottom side Old Patesians.
Bottom of the table Reading have played just two matches at home and after beating Southend first time out, their only win of the season to date, were beaten by Westcombe Park in their last home match. Their defeats to Cinderford, away, and Westcombe Park were narrow ones and saw them pick up losing bonus points but last Saturday they were hammered at Bridgwater and will want to get that result out of their system quickly.
Bracknell have managed just the one win all season an 11-10 home success over second placed Havant. Away from home they have lost all three games although they did push both Dings and Hertford, picking up losing bonus points, before getting hammered at leaders North Walsham.
These two sides last meet in the 1999/200 season when Bracknell did the double over Reading in Jewson National One who were relegated.
Bracknell were 24-16 winners at Holme Park and 44-10 winners at home.
Prediction: Home win narrowly by four points.
Old Patesians v Dings Crusaders
Sixth placed Dings Crusaders ravel to 11th placed Old Patesians looking to build on last weeks excellent win over league leaders North Walsham.
Old Patesians were narrow away winners last Saturday against fellow strugglers Bracknell and would like to build on that win and try and climb away from the wrong end of the National Three South table. They have won just once at Everest Road this season when beating Rosslyn Park in their opening game of the season. Since then they have lost twice at home to Cinderford and Bridgwater & Albion.
Dings were convincing winners over the league leaders last Saturday with a 28-14 success to make it three out of four at home this season. Away from home they have lost both their matches but they have been against top sides Havant and Lydney who are both having good seasons.
Dings were winners at Everest Road last season comfortably 29-6 and with a 33-13 win at home did the double over Old Patesians.
Prediction: Away win by 10 points.
Cambridge v Cinderford
Third placed Cambridge take on 12th placed Cinderford with the home side looking to narrow the gap on the top side North Walsham or move above second placed Havant with them meeting at Scottow.
Cambridge after getting dumped out of the Powergen National Trophy and getting thumped at Havant have responded well with back to back wins over Southend and Hertford. Although they have won all three home matches they have not really turned anybody over yet and will be hoping to find another gear this week and take advantage of Cinderford’s poor form.
Cinderford were thumped last weekend at home to Southend after a first half they will want to forget with the visitors 39-0 ahead. On the road this season they have lost two out of three with their only success coming at Old Patesians either side of defeats at Lydney and Rosslyn Park.
They are the lowest scorers in the division with 75 and have conceded the joint most points along with Bracknell, 187.
These two sides have never met in league rugby before.
Prediction: Home win by 10 points.
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