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NATIONAL THREE SOUTH
Dings Crusaders v Reading
Fourth placed Dings Crusaders entertain 11th placed Reading looking to return to winning ways after a loss last week at North Walsham which saw them drop down the table.
Dings lost for just the second time in seven this season but it was a second loss in three having lost a Havant a couple of weeks previously. They have shown excellent home form this season and won all three matches.
Reading were losers away at Barking last weekend in a high scoring match in which they led at the break before Barking took control in the second half to secure the win. They have already had four matches away from home this season and have yet to win and picked up their first away bonus point last Saturday for scoring four tries.
These two last met in the 2002/03 season in South West One with Dings doing the double over Reading in their Championship season.
This match they won convincingly 44-21 whilst at Holme Park it was a lot closer with Dings winning 19-15.
Prediction: Dings by eight points.
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Haywards Heath v Havant
Huge game for both sides this one as they will both see it as a game they can win at bottom of the table Haywards Heath entertain 10th placed Havant.
A Havant win could well see them move into the top half of the table which would be a great achievement after losing their opening four matches.
They won on their last road trip winning a tight game at Tabard 34-31 having lost their first three on the road.
Haywards Heath are in danger of being cut of at the bottom of the table and are presently six points behind 13th placed Southend and a further three points behind the next group of clubs. They have gone close twice at home losing by two points to both Old Patesians and Southend.
This will be the first ever National League match between these two sides although they did met in London One.
Prediction: Away win by seven points.
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Hertford v Barking
Third placed Barking travel to seventh placed Hertford looking to keep up with the top two after returning to winning ways last Saturday.
Barking were winners at home to Reading last Saturday reaching the 50 point mark but were trailing at half time before taking control in the second half. This was a huge improvement form the previous week when they were bitterly disappointed at losing at Old Patesians especially after beating North Walsham convincingly the week before.
Hertford have done well at home this season with three wins from four matches and last weekend were convincing winners over Old Patesians as they secured their first four try bonus point of the season.
First ever league meeting between these two sides.
Prediction: Away win by ten points.
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Lydney v Westcombe Park
Top of the table Lydney will be hoping to make home advantage count against Westcombe Park after a couple of disappointing home performances of late.
Lydney were 15-8 winners at home last time out over new boys Hertford whilst in the game before that they went down 9-8 to Barking at Regentsholme.
Combe were involved in the Powergen Cup last weekend going down to a heavy defeat at National One side Otley falling away in the second half after a good opening 40 minutes. Away in the league this season they have won just the once, last time out at Weston having lost on their two previous road trips this season but they were at North Walsham and Dings Crusaders.
Lydney lead the series three matches too one and did the double over Combe when they last met in the 2002/03 season with both matches going down to the wire and Lydney coming through by one point and two points.
Prediction: Home win by 10 points.
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Old Patesians v Southend
Ninth placed Old Patesians entertain 13th placed Southend at Everest Road on Saturday looking for a win to take them into the top half of the table.
Old Patesians have won twice at home this season with wins over Weston and Barking whilst their two defeats were against top four sides North Walsham and Dings Crusaders so have come through a tough opening program at home with credit.
Southend after a busy summer recruiting came into the season in positive mood but have yet to produce on the field as we speak. They have already picked up a win on the road winning at bottom of the table Haywards Heath and they did pick up a bonus point in defeat at Tabard going down 22-16.
Southend did the double over Old Patesians in their first ever season of National League rugby scoring over 40 points in each of the matches.
Prediction: Home win by less than seven points.
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Tabard v North Walsham
Second placed North Walsham travel to Cobden Hill to take on sixth placed Tabard as they look to secure the win to keep the pressure on the leaders Lydney.
After recovering from an opening day loss at Lydney Tabard went on to win their next three matches but since then have suffered a mini slump going down to three successive defeats including a home loss to Havant.
North Walsham suffered their only defeat of the season three weeks ago since then they have bounced back with wins away at Reading and then last Saturday they defeated an In Form Dings Crusaders side 32-12 at Scottow.
In the last 10 encounters between these two sides North Walsham lead the series seven matches to three and did the double over Tabard last season. Tabard had won their three previous home encounters against North Walsham prior to that.
Prediction: Away win by eight points.
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Weston super Mare v Redruth
Fifth placed Redruth travel to Weston super Mare on Saturday looking to secure a win over a side that has slipped down to 12th place in the league table recently.
Redruth have lost twice this to teams above them in the table, North Walsham and Dings Crusaders, and both were away from home. They have won just once on the road this season winning 35-18 at Westcombe Park whilst their other away trip saw them get a draw at Barking, so already they have played three of the better sides in the division away from home.
Weston have slipped to three consecutive defeats after winning two and losing two of their opening four matches and need to find some form again to escape the relegation zone. Although this may not be the game to kick start their season you can never tell as these two sides have a big rivalry at it may just spur them on.
Since Weston returned to National Three South it has been honours even with both sides winning twice. Last season though they both won the away fixture in two very close matches. At Weston Redruth triumphed 18-15 whilst at Redruth Weston came through 21-17 winners.
Prediction: Away win by less than eight points.
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