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NATIONAL THREE NORTH
Bedford Athletic v New Brighton
Bottom of the table Bedford Athletic play host to New Brighton at Putnoe Bridge needing a home success in the pursuit of the sides above them as they look to try and close the gap.
Ath have lost their last three matches and are nine points adrift at the bottom of the table now and 11 points of safety which is a very serious situation. At home this season they have managed a couple of wins from their seven matches beating Blaydon and Cleckheaton.
New Brighton are in fifth place but ten points of second place and a chance of promotion through the play offs. After a winning run they have slipped to two defeats in their last three matches to fall of the pace again. On the road they have a 50/50 record with three wins and three defeats.
When the sides met earlier in the season it was New Brighton who came out on top with a 33-8.
Prediction: Away win by eight points.
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Blaydon v Fylde
Sixth placed Fylde travel to 10th placed Blaydon looking to get a winning run going again.
Fylde have lost two of their three matches and slipped down to sixth place in the table but as they have played fewer games than most if they win their games in hand they could climb as high as third.
Blaydon have climbed the table in recent weeks with their improved form and will be to make it four in a row with a win over Fylde. At home this season they have only played five matches at Crow Trees winning three and losing twice.
When the sides met at Woodlands earlier in the season Fylde were comfortable winners, 32-3.
Prediction: Home win by less than six points.
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Darlington v Darlington MP
The Darlington Derby goes to Blackwell Meadows with 12th placed Darlington entertaining eighth placed Mowden Park.
Darlington have lost their last two and a home success here would help them stay ahead of the relegation zone with Cleckheaton and Dudley just one and two points behind them.
Darlington have picked up just two wins at home this season from six matches.
DMP have again lost their form and have not won in four with three successive defeats following a draw at Dudley Kingswinford. .
They have the second worst away record in the division with only Bedford Athletic having a worse record. They have managed just the one win and a draw, the win was at New Brighton and the draw at DK.
Mowden Park won the fixture between them earlier in the season but Darlington did pick up a losing bonus points in a 30-23 loss.
Prediction: Home win by less than four points.
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Dudley v Bradford & Bingley
Second bottom DK entertain fourth placed Bradford & Bingley at Heathbrook looking to make it back to back wins for the first time this season but it is a tall task against the side second in the Form Guide with five wins in their last six matches.
DK have picked up a win and a draw in their last four matches, they are within a win of getting out of the drop zone but it is a tough ask when you consider they have yet to win at home this season. So far they have two draws and four defeats in their six matches.
Bradford & Bingley have been in great form recently with the only blot on the copybook a loss away at leaders Halifax. They have shown some indifferent form on their travels with just three wins form their six matches away from Wagon Lane.
When these two met at Wagon Lane earlier in the season the Bees thrashed DK 77-7.
Prediction: Away win by 12 points.
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Halifax v Tynedale
Leaders Halifax entertain third placed Tynedale looking to make it 12 out of 12 on their mission to the National Three North Championship title.
Halifax are going great guns this season and at home this season have won al five matches they have played. Their only concern maybe the back log of fixtures they could end up with if the weather was to turn bad for a couple of weeks.
Tynedale have won their last two after suffering back to back defeats. On the road this season they have won four out of six and have the third best record in the division.
When the sides met at Tynedale Park earlier in the season Halifax were winners, 34-20.
Prediction: Home win by 10 points.
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Macclesfield v Cleckheaton
Second placed Macclesfield are at home to third bottom Cleckheaton with the home looking to get ahead of the chasing pack in the race for second place which they lead by seven points at present.
Macclesfield have made a great start to the season with 10 wins in their opening 13 matches and will take some catching in the race for second place in National Three North.
Cleckheaton have lost their last five on the road after winning their first road trip of the season against Darlington MP. They won last time out to end a bad losing run but will find this just to tough against a side with a great defensive record this season.
Macclesfield were 31-6 winners when the sides met earlier in the season and are strong favourites to complete the double over the Yorkshire side.
Prediction: Home win by eight six points.
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Rugby Lions v Kendal
Seventh placed Rugby Lions play hosts to ninth placed Kendal this weekend looking for back to back wins in the league.
The Lions have won three of the last five as they look to climb the table after losing five points for fielding an ineligible player. They have struggled at home with just three wins and four defeats form their seven matches.
Kendal have come back well after a three match losing run putting together back to back wins but may just find this one to tough with both sides showing improved form.
On the road this season they have managed just the one win a 27-20 win at Dudley Kingswinford.
The Lions are looking to do the double over Kendal having won 17-7 at Mint Bridge before Christmas.
Prediction: Home win by nine points.
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