|
Blackheath v Cambridge
Sixth placed Blackheath take on 10th placed Cambridge looking to try and close the gap on fifth placed Redruth who have a tough match at leaders Esher.
Blackheath returned to winning ways last time out to end a three match losing run.
Last Saturday they were knocked out of the EDF National Trophy going down away at Bridgwater & Albion.
At home in the league they have won five out of seven with top three sides Esher and Henley Hawks the only ones leaving with wins.
Cambridge are looking to end a four match losing run although they did progress to the next round of the EDF National Trophy last Saturday with a 77-0 win over Midlands One side Bedford Athletic.
On the road this season they have lost all seven matches picking up just three losing bonus points along the way.
Cambridge were winners when the sides met earlier in the season coming through 39-28.
Prediction: Blackheath to win at the Rectory Field by 12 points.
Esher v Redruth
Leaders Redruth entertain fifth placed Redruth for the second week running after the Cornish side dumped them out of the EDF National Trophy.
Esher have a 100% record this season in the league but were beaten for the first time last weekend when Redruth dumped them out of the EDF National Cup 22-12.
They are the leagues top points scorers and have the second best defensive record.
Redruth are joint top of the Form Guide with Esher with both winning their last six matches. They have climbed to fifth place in the table and could move into third place with a win here.
Esher were winners at Redruth earlier in the season with a 30-15 victory.
Prediction: Home win for Esher by nine points.
Halifax v Manchester
Eighth placed Halifax entertain 11th placed Manchester looking to return to winning ways in the league. .
Halifax were winners last Saturday advancing into the 4th round of the EDF National Trophy after beating Beverley.
At home in the league this season they have an excellent record with six wins and just the one defeat, a 38-18 loss against league leaders Esher.
Manchester are going through a bad spell at the moment and have slipped to five successive defeats and are just four points clear of the relegation zone.
On the road this season they have a poor record with just on win and six defeats, the win came at Bradford & Bingley 18-10 and since then they have lost six on the bounce.
Manchester were winners when the sides met earlier in the season 26-21.
Prediction: Home win for Halifax over Manchester by 12 points.
Harrogate v Henley Hawks
Third placed Henley Hawks travel to bottom of the table Harrogate looking for all five points as they chase just their fourth four try bonus point of the season.
Harrogate have managed just the one win to date this season and are 15 points form safety at the half way mark of the season.
At home they have managed just the one win in seven matches. That was on the opening day of the season and since then they have lost all six of their matches at Claro Road.
The Hawks saw their winning run end last time out in the league when they went down 20-5 to leaders Esher at Dry Leas. On the road this season they have an excellent record with six wins from seven matches with their only defeat coming at the Cornish All Blacks 26-15 early in the season and since then they have won six in a row.
The Hawks were comfortable 39-7 winners at Dry Leas earlier in the season when the sides met.
Prediction: Comfortable away win for the Hawks at Claro Road.
Cornish All Blacks v Wharfedale
Second placed Cornish All Blacks entertain ninth placed Wharfedale looking to keep their winning run going.
The Cornish All Blacks are looking for a fifth successive win to try and keep their six point lead over third placed Henley Hawks.
At Polson Bridge this season they have won six out of seven with only leaders Esher leaving with a win when they were 33-19 victors.
Wharfedale after a poor start to the season have found some form and won four of their last five to climb the league table.
On the road this season they have picked up two wins in seven matches with victories at Harrogate and Manchester.
The Cornish All Blacks were 33-20 winners at Threshfields earlier in the season.
Prediction: Cornish All Blacks to win at Polson Bridge by nine points.
Nuneaton v Bradford & Bingley
Seventh placed Nuneaton take on 12th placed Bradford & Bingley looking to extend their winning run.
Nuneaton have put together a good run recent in the league and are looking for a fourth straight win this Saturday.
At Liberty Way this season the Nuns have won four out of six with Henley and Redruth leaving with wins.
Bradford & Bingley were winners last time out 21-17 at Barking to close to within four points of Manchester and safety.
On the road that was their first win of the season after six successive defeats.
They are still looking for that elusive first four try bonus point of the season.
Nuneaton were 34-28 winners when the sides met at Wagon Lane earlier in the season.
Prediction: Nuneaton to win by six points at Liberty Way against Bradford & Bingley.
Stourbridge v Barking
Fourth placed Stourbridge take on 13th placed Barking with both sides looking to return to winning ways.
Stourbridge are looking to end a two match losing run in the league and were also dumped out of the EDF National Trophy last Saturday away at North Walsham.
At home in the league they have four wins but have been beaten three times with Halifax, Henley and Nuneaton all leaving with victories.
Barking were winners last week in the EDF National Trophy with a comfortable 54-15 win over North One side Westoe.
They are at the wrong end of the Form Guide with just one win in their last six matches. They have managed just the two wins all season and they have both come on the road at Harrogate and Manchester.
When the sides met earlier in the season Stourbridge were 32-6 winners.
Prediction: Stourbridge to win at Stourton over Barking by eight points.
|
