Check out our weekly previews and predictions ahead of this weekends action.
NATIONAL TWO
Barking v Harrogate
Fourth placed Barking entertain bottom of the table Harrogate looking to build on their excellent pre Christmas win over then leaders Esher.
Barking were in poor form going into the match against Esher before Christmas losing four of their previous five league games. At home this season they have won four out of seven matches and the three defeats have been by five or fewer points.
Harrogate will be hoping that 2006 can be the start of their revival as they sit at the bottom of the National Two league table five points adrift of Orrell still seeking their first win of the season.
On the road they have lost all six matches but in four of them have got within six of the home side to pick up the losing bonus point.
These two clubs have never met in league rugby at Gorsebrook having met earlier this season for the first time at Claro Road when Barking left with a 13-8 win.
PREDICTION: Home win by eight points.
Halifax v Blackheath
12th placed Halifax entertain 11th placed Blackheath knowing a win could see them draw level with the Kent side.
Halifax are looking to improve in the second half of the season having taken a while to adjust to life in National Two. They have won two out of six at home this season with wins over Launceston and Redruth in their last three matches at home.
Blackheath are at the wrong end of the Form Guide but have picked up two wins in their last three matches after a dreadful losing run.
On the road they have lost their last five after starting the season with a win at Edge Hall Lane over Orrell.
Blackheath were winners earlier in the season when the sides met for the first time ever coming out 30-14 victors.
PREDICTION: Halifax to win by seven points.
Henley Hawks v Wharfedale
Seventh placed Wharfedale travel to ninth placed Henley Hawks just two points ahead of them in the league table.
Henley will be looking to improve their pre Christmas form which saw them lose three of their last four matches.
At Dry Leas the Hawks have won three and lost three with losing bonus points in the three defeats.
The Hawks despite being lower in the league table have conceded 100 points fewer than the Yorkshire side.
Wharfedale did well in the Christmas run in with three wins and a draw in their five matches before Christmas.
The Yorkshire side have two wins and a draw in their six away matches this season.
When the sides met at Threshfields earlier in the season the Green Machine ran out 34-10 winners over the Hawks.
PREDICTION: Henley to sneak it at Dry Leas by four points.
Launceston v Manchester
Fifth placed Manchester, travel to Polson Bridge to take on the Cornish All Blacks, Launceston. .
Launceston are one of the form sides in the division with four wins in their last five matches to climb the table.
They have won four out of six at Polson Bridge this season with top two sides Esher and Waterloo leaving with wins.
Manchester sit in fourth spot in the Form Guide after four successive wins. They have managed two wins on the road form their six matches winning at Orrell and Stourbridge.
Manchester were 18-6 winners when the sides met for the first time ever in league rugby at Grove Lane earlier in the season.
PREDICTION: Launceston to win by seven points at Polson Bridge.
Moseley v Stourbridge
Third placed Moseley entertain 10th placed Stourbridge looking to return to winning ways.
Moseley were beaten at Launceston the week before Christmas so will be keen to quickly return to winning ways and not let the top two get further ahead of them.
Moseley are unbeaten at home with seven wins out of seven and pasted the 30 point mark four times.
Stourbridge sit in the middle of the Form Guide with three wins and three defeats in their last six matches. Most of their points have been picked up away form home with five wins in seven matches away from Stourton.
Moseley are going for the double over Stourbridge having won 20-7 at Stourton earlier in the season.
PREDICTION: Moseley to return to winning ways with a nine point win.
Orrell v Waterloo
Top of the table, Waterloo travel to second bottom Orrell, looking to consolidate their status at the top of the table by taking all five points on offer.
Orrell have lost their last three and are seven points away from safety but more like eight points with their inferior points difference.
They have managed just three wins all season and they have all come at Edge Hall Road although in their last home fixture they were narrowly beaten by Manchester 16-13.
Waterloo went to the top of National Two in the week before Christmas and will be looking to maintain that position and maintain their unbeaten away record where they have won six and drawn one of their seven matches.
Waterloo were 51-0 winners at Blundellsands when the sides met earlier in the season.
PREDICTION: Waterloo to make it three in a row with a 12 point win at Edge Hall Road over Orrell. .
Redruth v Esher
Second placed Esher travel down to Cornwall to take on sixth placed Redruth looking to return to winning ways after their pre Christmas defeat at Barking which saw them lose top spot to Waterloo.
Redruth have won fiver out of six at home this season with only third placed Moseley leaving with a win in a 25-19 win.
Esher lost their 100% record in the match just before Christmas going down to a defeat at Barking after leading 15-0 at half time they went down 17-15. Prior to that loss they were unbeaten on their travels win five wins and a draw from their five matches.
Second placed Esher were 27-8 winners when the sides met at The Rugby Ground earlier in the season.
PREDICTION: Esher to return to winning ways with a four point win. |
