NATIONAL THREE NORTH
Bedford Athletic v Kendal
Bottom of the table Bedford Athletic entertain seventh placed Kendal looking to build on a number of better performance over the last few weeks.
Despite being bottom of the table Ath have the 12th best home record in the division picking up 15 points from three wins and three bonus points. Last week they put in a creditable performance at Macclesfield after an excellent home win over New Brighton the week before.
They still have a mountain to climb but if they look at the recent upsurge of form in National Two where both Bracknell and Nuneaton have started putting runs together and in Bracknell case risen to 10th place in the table.
Kendal have risen up the table in recent weeks and will be looking to make it five in a row as they look to move above New Brighton in the league table.
Although away from Mint Bridge their form has been poor with just two wins in seven matches.
Kendal were 29-20 winners at Mint Bridge last November. They met previously in the 1999/2000 season when Kendal did the double I their promotion season.
Prediction: Away win by less than six but would not be surprised by a home win.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Blaydon v Bradford & Bingley
Eighth placed Blaydon entertain third placed Bradford & Bingley at Crow Trees looking to extend their excellent recent winning run.
After a disappointing early season Blaydon have turned it round with five wins in a row and climb the table to get well away form the relegation zone. This Saturday they have a tough match against the Bees but it would not be a huge surprise if they beat them.
At home this season they have won four of their six matches compared with three wins form eight on the road.
Bradford & Bingley Have won four of their last six matches and have to start getting a winning run going if they are to mark in roads on Macclesfield in the battle for second place. It is their away form that needs to improve with just three wins form seven matches to date this season.
Prediction: Away win by less than six points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Darlington v Tynedale
11th placed Darlington entertain fellow North East side Tynedale knowing they have got to improve their home form otherwise they will find themselves in trouble in the relegation zone.
Darlington are just two points away from the relegation zone and need to improve their home form if they are to keep out of the battle. Their recent form is not good with just two wins ion their last six matches as they have slid down the league table.
Tynedale have won three of their last four matches and find themselves in fourth spot, a point behind Bradford & Bingley and with a game in hand. They have surprised everyone this season including themselves and on the road have picked up four wins form seven matches. Defensively they have the worst record of any of the top nine sides conceding 321 points.
Tynedale just beat Darlington earlier in the season 30-27. Last season it was honours even with home advantage counting on each occasion.
Prediction: Away win less than eight points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Dudley Kingswinford v Cleckheaton
12th placed Dudley Kingswinford entertain 13th placed Cleckheaton and whoever wins has the chance of climbing out of the relegation zone if results go their way at the weekend.
DK have shown much improvement over recent weeks and with two wins and a draw in their last six matches have pulled clear of bottom of the table Bedford Athletic.
Cleckheaton have just one win in their last six matches and need to find some form soon otherwise they will be in trouble and a second season in the National Leagues seems a long way off.
Prediction: Home win by eight points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Halifax v Macclesfield
Second placed Macclesfield, travel to leaders Halifax trying to end the Yorkshire sides 13 match winning start to the new season.
Halifax, have won all six matches at home this season securing the four try bonus point in four of them.
Macclesfield have the meanest defence in the division with just 208 points against although Halifax have conceded just 197 they have played fewer matches.
Macclesfield continue to be the surprise package in National Three South and go into the match well clear in second place
Halifax are looking for a fourth consecutive National League win over Macclesfield and at Macclesfield this season they were 20-11 winners.
Prediction: Halifax by 10 points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
New Brighton v Fylde
Sixth placed New Brighton play host to Fylde with the home side looking to end a poor run of recent results.
New Brighton have lost their last three matches in the league and are near the relegation zone than the promotion zone in terms of points. At home they have a 50/50 record which is not good enough for a team with aspirations
After a bright start to the season Fylde have fell over the pace recently and find themselves 15 points of a play off place with three defeats in their last six matches causing them to fall away.
On the road they have managed just two wins in six matches but with New Brighton struggling they may well fancy their chances of improving that record.
Fylde were winners when the sides met earlier in the season.
Prediction: Fylde to win by less than five points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Rugby Lions v Darlington Mowden Park
10th placed Rugby Lions entertain 9th placed Darlington Mowden Park knowing a win will see them move above Mowden Park in the table.
Rugby Lions are looking to avoid a third consecutive league defeat but will need to improve their away form if they are to do so. To date at home they have managed just three wins in eight matches although they have picked up six bonus points at Webb Ellis Road this season the most at home by any side and most have been for narrow defeats.
DMP are bottom of the Form Guide without a win in their last six matches, they have lost five in a row and before that drew at Dudley Kingswinford.
Their away form is not good with just one win out of six road trips.
Prediction: Home win by six points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
|
