Blackheath v Barking
Sixth placed Blackheath take on second bottom Barking looking to close the four point gap on fifth placed Henley Hawks.
Blackheath are looking to return to winning ways this Saturday and a home fixture against struggling Barking would seem the ideal fixture. At home this season they have a good record with seven wins in nine matches.
Barking are looking to make it back to back wins for the first time this season. On the road they have already won twice this season at Harrogate and Manchester as they go in search of a third win on the road.
Blackheath were 30-19 at Barking earlier in the season.
Prediction: Home win for Blackheath by 10 points over Barking.
Cambridge v Redruth
11th placed Cambridge take on 5th placed Redruth at Grantchester Road.
Cambridge are looking to avoid a third straight defeat n the league on Saturday although they did progress to the next round of the EDF National Trophy last Saturday beating North One side Westoe.
At home this season they have a good record with six wins in eight matches.
Redruth are looking for a hat trick of wins in the league although they were dumped out of the EDF National Trophy last Saturday at home to Lydney on the away team rule.
On the road this season they have picked up five wins in their nine matches.
Redruth were home winners in the fixture earlier in the season 32-16.
Prediction: Tough call this one but will go with Redruth by four points.
Esher v Halifax
Leaders Esher look to make it win number 16 this season with a home fixture against eighth placed Halifax.
Esher are looking to return to winning ways in the league after losing their 100% start to the season. At home they have lost just the once 12-10 to Manchester a few weeks back.
Halifax are looking for back to back wins in the league after being dumped out of the EDF National Trophy last Saturday at National One side Newbury.
On the road this season in the league they have struggled with just two wins in eight matches, at Bradford & Bingley and Stourbridge.
Esher were away winners at Halifax earlier in the season coming through 38-18 winners.
Prediction: Comfortable ten point home win for Esher over Halifax.
Harrogate v Manchester
Bottom of the table Harrogate entertain 10th placed Manchester 26 points off survival.
Harrogate are on a 16 match losing run at present and have yet to win on the road this season. They have played eight times away form home and lost all eight conceding over 30 points in each match.
Manchester are four matches unbeaten now after drawing at home to the Cornish All Blacks, this after defeating leaders Esher away from home.
On the road though they have a poor record with just three wins in nine matches.
Manchester were convincing winners at Grove Lane against Harrogate earlier in the season 63-12.
Prediction: Manchester to continue good recent form with 12 point win at Claro Road.
Henley Hawks v Wharfedale
Third placed Henley Hawks have a tough home fixture against eighth placed Wharfedale looking to go into second place with Cornish All Blacks not playing this week.
Henley Hawks are just three points behind the Cornish All Blacks and with four wins in their last six matches will be confident over a home win over Wharfedale. At Dry Leas this season they have won six out of eight with only Esher and Redruth leaving with wins.
Wharfedale have also won four of their last six matches which has helped them climb into the top half of the table.
On the road they have managed just three wins in nine matches.
At Threshfields earlier in the season Henley Hawks were 19-3 winners over Wharfedale.
Prediction: Tough match this one but will go with the Hawks by six points.
Nuneaton v Stourbridge
9th placed Nuneaton entertain fourth placed Stourbridge
Nuneaton are looking to return to winning ways and have lost two of their last three matches. At Liberty Way this season they have done well winning six of their eight matches with only Henley Hawks and Redruth leaving with wins.
Stourbridge are looking to avoid back to back defeats and have slipped of late with just two wins in their last six matches.
On the road this season they have played eight times and picked up four wins along the way.
Nuneaton pulled off a great away win at Stourton Park earlier in the season with a narrow 22-20 win.
Prediction: Home win for the Nuns over Stourbridge by eight points.
Cornish All Blacks v Bradford & Bingley
This match was called off with Bradford & Bingley having to play their 4th round match in the EDF National Trophy.
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