Esher v Stourbridge
Third placed Esher take on third bottom Stourbridge looking to keep in touch with the top two as they trail Waterloo by seven points.
After back to back defeats Esher returned to winning ways last time out when they overcame Manchester. At home they have a good record but were beaten last time out going down to a defeat against Launceston. That was their first home loss of the season.
Stourbridge were winners last time out with a 28-7 home win over Wharfedale but they remained in the relegation zone. That though was their first win for a six matches whilst their last away win back in November when they beat Harrogate.
Esher were 27-14 winners when the sides met at Stourton earlier in the season.
PREDICTION: Esher to win by 12 points.
Harrogate v Manchester
Second bottom Harrogate take on eighth placed Manchester looking to close the gap on 12th placed Stourbridge who have a tough fixture at Esher.
Harrogate returned to winning ways last time out with a win with a tremendous 40-34 win at Launceston. That ended a two match losing run but overall they have won three of their last five and do have an outside chance of avoiding a bottom three finish but this a must win game.
Manchester have slipped to three successive defeats and four in five to fall out of the top half of the league table.
On the road this season they have picked up three wins in ten matches.
Manchester were narrow winners when these two sides met at Grove Park earlier in the season coming through 21-15.
PREDICTION: Harrogate to win at Claro Road by seven points.
Henley Hawks v Moseley
Leaders Mosley travel to Dry leas to take on 10th placed Henley Hawks and maintain top spot in National Two.
The Hawks went down to a defeat last time out at Halifax to end a two match winning run and are just three points clear of the relegation zone.
At home they managed just four wins in ten matches this season and have picked up losing five of their six home defeats.
Mosley are the form side in the division and are now four points clear at the top of the table but more importantly they are 11 points clear of third placed Esher.
On the road this season they have lost twice going down to defeats at Esher and Launceston.
At Moseley earlier in the season the Hawks pushed Moseley all the way before going down to a narrow 22-19 defeat.
PREDICTION: Moseley to win by six points.
Orrell v Halifax
Bottom of the table Orrell take on ninth placed Halifax who have now moved six points clear a relegation place.
Orrell are looking to make it back to back wins after an excellent home win last Saturday over Redruth.
They are still seven points adrift at the bottom of the table and 14 points from safety.
At home they have now won four out of their ten matches.
Halifax have done well recently and are going for a hat trick of wins and have won four of their last six to climb up the table in recent weeks.
On the road they have a poor record with just one win and a draw from nine matches.
Halifax were 29-3 winners when these two sides met just a couple of weeks ago.
PREDICTION: Halifax to sneak a five point win.
Redruth v Launceston
Sixth placed Redruth play host to fourth placed Launceston in this Cornish derby.
Redruth are at the wrong end of the From Guide with just two wins in their last six matches and they are looking to avoid a third successive defeat.
At home they have a good record and have won eight of their ten matches with only Moseley and Manchester leaving with wins.
Launceston saw their three match winning run end last time out when they went down to a shock defeat at home to second bottom Harrogate in a high scoring match 40-34.
On the road this season they have five wins and a draw from their ten matches to date.
When these two met at Polson Bridge earlier in the season Launceston were narrow home winners, 20-17.
PREDICTION: Launceston to win this Cornish derby by four points.
Waterloo v Barking
Second placed Waterloo entertain fifth placed Barking looking to maintain their seven point cushion over third placed Esher.
Waterloo are looking for a fifth consecutive win to keep the pressure on leaders Mosley who they trail by four points in the table.
At Blundellsands this season they have won seven out of nine, drawing with Esher and losing to leaders Moseley.
Barking returned to winning ways last time out after going three matches without a win. On the road this season they have played ten matches and have picked up four wins and a draw.
When these two met earlier in the season at Barking, Waterloo won a high scoring match narrowly, 33-29.
PREDICTION: Waterloo to win by 12 points.
Wharfedale v Blackheath
Seventh placed Wharfedale take on 11th placed Blackheath at Threshfields knowing the Kent side will be up for it as they look to try and stay out of the bottom three.
Wharfedale, need to find some form again after going down to four defeats in their last five matches.
At home this season they have four wins and three draws from their nine matches at home, losing to Moseley and Waterloo.
Blackheath were beaten last time out after putting together a run of three wins in four matches as they look to try and climb clear of the relegation zone.
On the road they have a poor record with just two wins in their nine matches winning at Orrell and Stourbridge
When the sides met earlier in the season at the Rectory Field, Wharfedale came away with a 29-18 victory.
PREDICTION: Wharfedale to sneak it with four point win. |
