Check out our weekly previews and predictions ahead of this weekends action.
NATIONAL ONE
Doncaster v Bedford Blues
Third placed Bedford Blues, travel to Doncaster whose home form has carried them out of the relegation zone and up to 11th place in the league table. Last Saturday they progressed to the semi final of the Powergen National Trophy with a narrow 14-13 win at Otley.
Doncaster’s home form is good enough to see them in sixth place in the Form Guide. In seven matches at home they have picked up five wins after early season losses by Exeter and the Cornish Pirates.
The Blues are third in the Form Guide with which mirrors their league position. They are looking for a fifth consecutive win this Saturday after losing two on the bounce.
On the road they have won four out of six losing at Plymouth Albion and drawing at Otley on the opening day of the season.
Bedford Blues were 47-17 at Goldington Road when the sides met for the first time ever in the league earlier in the season.
PREDICTION: Blues to end Doncaster’s good recent home run with eight point win.
London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs
The Welsh are out of the relegation zone now and need to keep winning at home to keep it that was as they entertain seventh placed Exeter Chiefs. Last Saturday Exeter Chiefs made it to the semi final of the Powergen National Trophy with a home win over Earth Titans 23-8, whilst the Welsh were beaten at Nottingham 34-3.
The Welsh have won tow of their last four matches which has helped them move out of the relegation zone into 12th spot two points ahead of Pertemps Bees.
At Old Deer Park this season the Welsh have played eight games already and have won three and drawn one.
The Chiefs are down in 10th place in the Form Guide as they look to end a three match losing run in the league and four in the last five.
On the road this season Exeter have played seven matches but have picked up just two wins at Doncaster and Coventry.
Earlier in the season the Exeter Chiefs were 21-10 winners at the County ground.
PREDICTION: Chiefs to leave Old Deer Park with five point win.
NEC Harlequins v Otley
Unbeaten leaders taken on 9th placed Otley who have come nearer than any side to defeat them so far this season. Both these sides played in the quarter final of the Powergen National Trophy last Saturday at home and had different results. Quins beat Plymouth Albion whilst Otley were narrowly beaten by Bedford Blues.
Quins are looking for a 15th consecutive league win and 18th in total this season in competitive matches. At the Stoop this season Quins have won six out of six and will be odds on favourites to make it seven on current form.
Otley are down at the wrong end of the Form Guide with just two wins in the last six matches. They have lost their last two matches in the league and three in total if you add in the Cup defeat last Saturday. On the road this season they have picked up just two wins in seven matches with wins at Exeter and London Welsh.
When these sides met in week two of the season the Yorkshire went close to beating the Quins before a late try carried the London side to an 18-15 win.
PREDICTION: Quins to maintain 100% home record with 15 point win.
Nottingham v Sedgley Park
Eighth placed Nottingham entertain bottom of the table Sedgley Park looking to climb into the top half of the National One league table. Last Saturday Nottingham made it into the semi final of the Powergen National Trophy with a 34-3 home win over London Welsh. .
Nottingham have won two of their last three matches in the league but that comes on the back of a three match losing run.
At home this season they have played seven matches and three sides have left with the win to date.
Sedgley Park were winners last time out as they ended a losing run of six matches dating back to late October when they beat London Welsh at Park Lane.
On the road this season Park have played eight times and managed to pick up just the one when they were early season winners at Coventry 27-26.
Nottingham were winners at Park Lane when the sides met earlier in the season triumphing 29-12.
PREDICTION: Nottingham to beat Park by 10 points.
Plymouth Albion v Pertemps Bees
Second bottom Pertemps Bees travel to fourth placed Plymouth Albion facing a tough match as they look to try and get out of a relegation place. Albion were knocked out of the Powergen National Trophy at the Stoop last Saturday 37-24 and were still in it till Quins scored a late try after Albion pulled it back to 30-24 after 75 minutes.
Plymouth Albion were winners last time out to end a two match losing run and have won four of their last six matches to sit fourth in the Form Guide. At Brickfields this season they have played seven matches but have lost three of them to Harlequins, Newbury and Cornish Pirates.
The Bees are second bottom in the Form Guide with just one win in their last six matches and are looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat. They have managed just the one win on the road this season in eight matches with a 22-19 win at Cross Green against Otley, although they did avoid defeat at Sedgley Park with a 33 all draw.
When these two met earlier in the season the Pertemps Bees were winners 24-13 at Sharmans Cross Road.
PREDICTION: Albion with home advantage to beat the Bees by 12 points.
Earth Titans v Coventry
Fifth placed Earth Titans look to maintain their good league from with a home win over 10th placed Coventry at Clifton Lane.
The Titans were knocked out of the Powergen Trophy last Saturday in the Quarter finals at Exeter Chiefs.
The Titans are fifth in the Form Guide with four wins in their last five matches as they look for a third consecutive league win.
At home this season the Titans have won five out of six with only leaders Harlequins leaving with the win 22-7.
Coventry are at the wrong end of the Form Guide and are looking to avoid a fourth successive defeat after putting together their best run of the season a three match winning run.
On the road this season they have played six times and picked up just two wins at Newbury and Nottingham.
When the side met earlier in the season the Titans were winners at the Butts Arena 22-13.
PREDICTION: Titans to win by eight points over Coventry.
Cornish Pirates v Newbury
Second placed Cornish Pirates are at home to sixth placed Newbury looking to keep ahead of Bedford Blues who they are level on points with.
The Pirates are going for a fifth consecutive league win on Sunday as they look to maintain their 100% home record this season. They have played six times at home and scored over 39 points in four of those wins.
When these two sides met earlier in the season it went down to the wire with the Pirates sneaking it late on 26-25.
PREDICTION: Pirates to maintain good recent form with 10 point win at Kenwyn Hill. |
