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National Two
Bracknell v Harrogate
Huge match for both sides as they look to try and get away from the relegation zone as second bottom Bracknell entertain third bottom Harrogate.
A win could see either of them move out of the bottom three with Esher having a very difficult away match at leaders Doncaster.
Bracknell do seem to have improved of late and were narrow losers at Moseley last weekend and have picked up two wins in their last six matches. At home they have won two out of six with two less fixtures at home at this stage of the season.
Bracknell have picked up six bonus points for defeats by seven or less this is the most in the division along with Blackheath.
Harrogate went down at home to leaders Doncaster last week but only by 14-8. Their recent form has seen them slip to four successive defeats and away from Claro Road they have lost five out of six to date with their only win at bottom club Nuneaton early in the season.
When the sides met earlier in the season Harrogate demolished Bracknell 79-5 at Claro Road.
Prediction: Home win by less than six points.
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Doncaster v Esher
Leaders Doncaster are at home to 11th placed Esher looking to maintain their six point lead at the top of the table.
Doncaster have a 100% record at home this season winning all six matches. They have failed to win just twice in 14 matches and one of those was a draw. They are the leading points scorers in the division as well as having the meanest defence in the division.
Esher have managed just one win in their last six and are now in danger of being caught by the two sides below them in the table and are likely to end the day in a relegation position unless they can pull of a surprise win
The omens are not good as they have yet to get an away win losing all six matches so far this season.
When the sides met earlier in the season Doncaster were 46-26 winners in a high scoring affair.
Prediction: Home win by 10 points.
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Launceston v Nuneaton
The in form Launceston entertain bottom of the table Nuneaton this week at Polson Bridge looking to maintain their excellent recent form which has seen them climb to second place in the National Two League table.
Launceston have won five in a row now since losing at Newbury late in November. At home Launceston have lost twice losing to Doncaster and Blackheath. They have only the sixth best home record in the division but away from home they have the second best record in the division.
Nuneaton managed just their second win of the season last weekend when they defeated high flying Newbury at Liberty Way to get within five points of second bottom Bracknell and give themselves some hope.
Nuneaton though on the road have a dreadful record losing all seven matches and picking up just the one bonus point.
When the sides met at Liberty Way earlier in the season the Cornish All Blacks came out on top 19-6.
Prediction: Home win by 12 points.
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Manchester v Stourbridge
Fourth placed Manchester entertain sixth placed Stourbridge looking to maintain the pressure on the sides above them in the table.
Manchester are level on points with third placed Newbury and a four try bonus point on top of a home win is the requirement this week and if Newbury fail to secure a bonus point Manchester could well move up to second place. Manchester are unbeaten at home this season with six wins and have picked up the four try bonus point in four of those matches although last time out at home they struggled to beat Harrogate coming through 18-9.
Stourbridge have won just one of their last six matches and slipped down from second place to sixth and are now of the pace of the leading five sides although a win here could see them get within striking distance of the sides above them.
On the road this season they have won four out of seven picked up a draw and lost twice at Launceston and Newbury where they were well beaten on each occasion.
Manchester are looking to do the double over Stourbridge having won 14-12 there earlier in the season.
Prediction: Home win by eight points.
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Newbury v Blackheath
Third placed Newbury entertain ninth placed Blackheath looking to return to winning ways after last weeks shock defeat at Nuneaton.
Newbury were narrow losers last weekend to a late Craig Dutton try at bottom of the table Nuneaton and slipped a place to third as Launceston went above them after their win at Stourbridge.
At home this season, Newbury have won six out of seven with just the leaders Doncaster leaving with a victory this season.
Blackheath have won two of the last three matches and will fell they have a score to settle after a heavy defeat at the hands of Newbury earlier this season.
On the road they have picked up just two wins in six matches with wins at Harrogate and Nuneaton. They were unlucky in their last away match going down to a narrow 22-19 defeat at Doncaster who they out scored three tries to one.
When the sides met earlier in the season Newbury thrashed Blackheath at the Rectory Field 45-10 as they go looking for the double.
Prediction: Home win by 12 points.
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Waterloo v Rosslyn Park
10th placed Rosslyn Park make the long journey to play eighth placed Waterloo at Blundellsands this weekend.
Waterloo have improved of late with three wins and a draw in their last five matches and just the one defeat.
At home this season they have a poor record with just two wins from six matches and know they need to improve that form to go with there away record which is very good.
The only sides they have beaten at Blundellsands this season in the league are Esher and Wharfedale.
Waterloo have an excellent defensive record with only Doncaster and Newbury conceding fewer points than them.
Park have won just one of their last five matches and are six point above the relegation zone. On the road, Park have picked up just two wins in six matches with victories at Esher and Nuneaton.
Park have a problem scoring points with only the bottom two sides scoring fewer points than them this season in National Two.
The sides have yet to meet this season with the fixture for earlier this season called off with Waterloo still in the Powergen Cup.
Prediction: Home win by eight points.
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Wharfedale v Moseley
Fifth placed Moseley travel to seventh placed Wharfedale looking to keep their good recent form going and stay in touch with the sides chasing leaders Doncaster.
Wharfedale have lost their last two and know that if they can return to winning ways they can climb a place in the table if Stourbridge come unstuck at Manchester.
Wharfedale at Threshfields this season have done well with five wins out of seven matches and only Doncaster and Manchester have left with victories.
Moseley top the Form guide with six successive victories and are within striking distance of the three sides above them in the table in the chase to catch leaders Doncaster. On the road this season Moseley have won three and lost three although the three wins have been their last three matches away from home.
When the sides met earlier in the season it was Moseley who came out on top 23-11.
Prediction: Away win by less than six points.
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