National Three North
Saturday 11th December
Bradford & Bingley v Macclesfield
Big game for both sides this one at Wagon Lane as fifth placed Bradford & Bingley entertain second placed Macclesfield knowing they have to win if they are to retain any realistic chance of catching the leaders.
The Bees were beaten at Halifax last weekend and the worrying factor will be the fact they were out scored five tries to two and but for an off day with the boot for Douglas Sanft the margin of victory would have been larger.
Macclesfield were narrow home winners last weekend over Tynedale and just seem to do enough to win. They have been helped by the emergence of Michael Newell at fly half this season; the youngest has fitted in well and also made a great contribution with the boot as well.
Prediction: Bradford & Bingley to bounce back after last weekends defeat with a 12 point win.
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Darlington Mowden Park v Halifax
Leaders Halifax travel to fifth placed Darlington Mowden Park in confident mood after they stopped Bradford & Bingley’s excellent recent run with a powerful performance at home.
DMP were disappointed last weekend with their draw away at Dudley Kingswinford where they would have expected to pick up the win.
They have been disappointing at time this season but are just a couple of points off third place. This could well be a game to far for them but they are capable of pushing Halifax hard if they get it right on the day.
Halifax seem to go from strength to strength and after their impressive win over Bradford & Bingley will be very confident for the rest of the season as they look to make amends for last seasons disappointments.
Prediction: Halifax by eight points.
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Fylde v Dudley Kingswinford
Fourth placed Fylde will be looking to return to winning ways immediately after last weeks loss with this home fixture against 13th placed Dudley Kingswinford.
Dudley Kingswinford snatched a draw last weekend when their winger Ian Gowland scored an injury time try converted by Simon Fletcher for a share of the points.
Fylde were shocked to go down to a defeat last weekend away at Darlington so will be looking for a much improved performance this weekend at the Woodlands. After being excellent defensively all season they let in four tries in one match, nearly as many as they conceded all season.
Prediction: Fylde to win by 10 points.
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Kendal v Darlington
9th placed Darlington travel to 10th placed Kendal looking to build on last weekends excellent home win over Fylde.
Darlington will see this as an away match they can win and will have some confidence after the home win last week when they put four tries past Fylde who had the best record in the division for fewest tries conceded.
Kendal were losers last weekend at Blaydon despite scoring four tries away from home with winger John Ladell leading the way with a hat trick and despite the defeat still picked up two bonus points.
A win for Kendal would be good enough for them to move above Darlington ion the league table.
Prediction: Kendal to win by eight points.
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New Brighton v Blaydon
Third placed New Brighton are at home this weekend to 11th placed Blaydon looking for the win with four sides just behind them in the Three North league table.
New Brighton were away winners last weekend at Rugby Lions and will see this as a home win over a struggling side especially if they are to try and catch second placed Macclesfield who are nine points clear of the in second spot.
Blaydon returned to winning ways last weekend with a home win over Kendal that was sealed late on with a Dan Clappison penalty goal. They ran in five tries and picked up a bonus point. It was enough to see them move up a couple of places in the league table
Prediction: New Brighton to win by 10 points. .
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Rugby Lions v Bedford Athletic
Bottom of the table Bedford Athletic go to play eighth placed Rugby Lions looking for back to back wins for the first time this season.
Rugby Lions were beaten at home again last weekend going down to New Brighton having lost to Fylde in their previous home match. They must turnaround their home form and will see this as the perfect game to do so in.
Bedford Athletic got a much needed win last weekend with a home win against Cleckheaton although they did miss out of the four try bonus point. They remain bottom but are now within striking distance of moving off the bottom of the table.
With Rugby having lost their last two at home Bedford will see this as a good time to go to Webb Ellis Road with the Lions struggling at home.
Prediction: Rugby Lions to win by less than eight points.
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Tynedale v Cleckheaton
Sixth placed Tynedale are at home this week to 12th placed Cleckheaton and are in a tight struggle near the top of the table with five sides separated by just two points.
Tynedale were disappointed not to take something out of the Macclesfield after competing so well with a depleted side but with home advantage would expect to return to winning ways with this home fixture.
Cleckheaton are going through a tough spell at present and need to try and find some form soon.
Prediction: Tynedale to win by eight points. .
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