Check out our weekly previews and predictions ahead of the weekend action.
NATIONAL TWO
Blackheath v Moseley
Second placed Moseley travel to 11th placed Blackheath looking to keep pace with leaders Waterloo and ahead of challengers Esher.
After a dreadful run Blackheath have showed improved form of late with two wins in their last four matches. At home this season Blackheath have played six matches winning three and losing three.
Moseley returned to winning ways last Saturday with a convincing home win over Stourbridge to move ahead of Esher in the table into second place.
On the road this season Moseley have played just five times winning three but losing to Esher and Launceston.
Moseley were convincing winners at home to Blackheath earlier in the season coming through 36-3.
PREDICTION: Moseley to return to winning ways on the road with eight point win.
Esher v Henley Hawks
Third placed Esher will be looking to get their season back on track with the visit of 10th placed Henley Hawks.
Esher will be looking to get their season back on track after picking up just one win in their last four matches. At home this season Esher have played just five times at home winning them all, four of them were convincing wins.
The Hawks are also in poor form with just one win in their last five matches which has seen them slip down the league table.
On the road this season they have played six matches and picked up just two wins against the bottom two Orrell and Harrogate
Esher were winners at Dry Leas in a low scoring kicking match 9-3.
PREDICTION: Esher to end losing run with 10 point home win over the Hawks.
Harrogate v Redruth
Seventh placed Redruth, travel to bottom of the table Harrogate, looking to improve their poor away form.
Harrogate scored four tries at Barking like the home side last Saturday but were again losers. They did pick up a four try bonus point but if they had had a goalkicker they could well have put more pressure on Barking and who knows. At home they have played seven lost seven as they go in search of that first elusive win of the season.
Redruth have shown improved form of late with three wins in four matches and will be buoyed after the home win of promotion challenging Esher last Saturday.
On the road though they have a poor record with just the one win in six road trips, a 25-6 win at Stourbridge.
Redruth were winners when the sides met earlier in the season 34-15.
PREDICTION: Can Harrogate break their ducks! Yes with narrow four point win over Redruth.
Manchester v Barking
Fourth placed Barking travel to eighth placed Manchester looking do the double over their opponents.
Manchester were beaten last Saturday at Launceston which saw their four match winning run come to an end.
They have played six times at home this season and are unbeaten winning five and drawing 28 all with draw specialists Wharfedale.
Barking were home winners over bottom of the table Harrogate last Saturday both sides scored four tries but the kicking of Corrado Pilat proved decisive as they made it two wins on the trot.
On the road this season they have played six and managed to pick up three wins along the way.
Barking were comfortable winners when the sides met earlier in the season at Barking 31-9.
PREDICTION: Barking to take an away win at Manchester by seven points.
Stourbridge v Launceston
Sixth placed Launceston travel to Stourton to take on 10th placed Stourbridge looking to continue their rise up the National Two League table.
Stourbridge are at the wrong end of the Form Guide with two wins in their last six matches.
Last Saturday they were heavily beaten at second placed Moseley. At home this season they have a poor record, in six matches they have managed just the one win when beating struggling Orrell 37-9.
Launceston are up to third in the Form Guide with five wins in their last six matches as they look for a hat trick of wins on Saturday. So far this season they have made six road trips and picked up two wins and a draw for their efforts.
When the sides met at Polson Bridge earlier in the season it was the Cornish All Blacks who came out on top wining 20-7.
PREDICTION: Launceston to pick up valuable away win and maintain recent form with four point win.
Waterloo v Halifax
Leaders Waterloo entertain 12th placed Halifax looking to maintain top spot in the division and maybe increase their lead.
Waterloo are now five points clear at the top of the table although Moseley do have a game in hand on them as do Esher. They go into the game looking for a fourth consecutive draw after back to back draws.
Halifax picked up a valuable win last Saturday at home to Blackheath in a tight match with the boot of Tom Eaton proving decisive with a late penalty goal.
They have now picked up two wins in their last three matches and are six points clear of second bottom Orrell and just two points behind Blackheath.
When the sides met earlier in the season it went down to the wire and Waterloo pinched it late on with a drop goal, 20-19.
PREDICTION: Waterloo to remain top of the table with 10 point home win over Halifax at Blundellsands.
Wharfedale v Orrell
Fifth placed Wharfedale entertain second bottom Orrell at Threshfields looking to maintain their excellent recent form.
The Yorkshire side are fourth in the Form Guide with four wins and a draw in their last five matches. At Threshfields this season they have only been beaten once in six matches but have drawn three times, twice 22 all and once 21 all.
Orrell have now lost their last four matches and managed just three wins all season. They have all come at Edge Hall Road. On the road they have played five times and lost them all managing a losing bonus point at Redruth going down 13-10.
When these two sides met at Edge Hall Road earlier in the season it went down to the wire with the home side just edging it 28-27.
PREDICTION: Wharfedale to record comfortable home win over Orrell by 11 points. |
