NATIONAL THREE NORTH
Bradford & Bingley v Rugby Lions
Third place Bradford & Bingley entertain eighth placed Rugby Lions looking to pick up all five points to keep the pressure on second place Macclesfield
The Bees have now put back to back wins together and need to keep this winning running going if they are going to have any chance of catching second placed Macclesfield before the end of the season and claim a play off place.
At Wagon Lane they have managed six wins in eight matches and will be confident of a seventh on Saturday.
The Lions were winners again last weekend ending a two match losing run with a home success over n out of form Darlington Mowden Park side nut over their last six matches they have picked up three wins and three defeats. .
They have picked up three wins and a draw on the road this season from eight matches which is the fifth best record in the division
When the sides met at Webb Ellis Road earlier in the season it was the Bees who took the win in a close encounter 9-8.
Prediction: Home win by 15 points.
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Cleckheaton v Darlington
12th placed Cleckheaton are at home this week to 11th placed Darlington with both sides looking for wins to try and get away from the relegation area.
Cleckheaton returned to winning ways last weekend with an important win at Dudley Kingswinford, a win which moved them up a place and kept them within striking distance of the sides immediately above them in the table.
They know a win would see them close the gap on the sides above them to just a couple of points compared with going three wins behind Darlington if they were to lose.
Cleckheaton have managed three wins at home this season and this is a must win match for them if they are going to make a charge up the table.
Darlington had a big home win last Saturday against their North East rivals Tynedale otherwise they would only be a point ahead of Cleckheaton instead of the six points they have on them now.
On the road this season they have managed just a win and a draw in eight matches and this would be a timely game to improve that record and put some distance between the two sides.
Darlington were comfortable winners at Blackwell Meadows earlier in the season 40-12.
Prediction: Home win by eight points.
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Darlington Mowden Park v New Brighton
10h placed Darlington Mowden Park are at home to sixth placed New Brighton with both sides looking to try and find some form.
Darlington Mowden Park are bottom of the Form Guide without a win in their last six matches, easily the worst record in the division.
DMP have already played nine matches at home this season and have picked up five wins in those matches.
DMP have not scored enough points this season with only Blaydon and Cleckheaton scoring fewer points than the North East side.
New Brighton were held at home last weekend by Fylde which ended a three match losing run which has them down in 13th place in the Form Guide, only DMP have a worse recent record.
On the road this season New Brighton have managed to pick up three wins in eight matches and have the sixth best away record in the division.
New Brighton have lost nine times this season but in five of those they have picked up the losing bonus point.
Earlier in the season Darlington Mowden Park won at New Brighton 13-10.
Prediction: Tough call with both sides out of sorts but will go with a home win by less than six points.
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Fylde v Kendal
Fifth placed Fylde are at home this week taking on Kendal at Woodlands with both sides looking to return to winning ways.
Fylde drew at New Brighton last week and with Tynedale losing at Darlington missed the opportunity of moving into fourth spot in the table. After losing three of four matches Fylde have come back with a win and a draw and will be confident that with home advantage they can beat Kendal and if Tynedale slip up move above them in the league table.
Kendal had been on a great run going into last weeks match against bottom of the table Bedford Athletic with four successive wins behind them but the run came to an end with Ath’ getting the victory.
Kendal are not the best of travellers with just two wins in eight matches this season away from Mint Bridge.
These sides are yet to meet this season.
Prediction: Home advantage to count with a narrow five point win for Fylde.
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Halifax v Bedford Athletic
Leaders Halifax entertain bottom of the table Bedford Athletic looking to maintain their 100% start to the season.
Halifax have won all seven matches at home this season and along with Fylde they are the only sides still with unbeaten home records.
They have though picked up just four four try bonus points at home this season and will be looking for a fifth this week although they will need to be careful as Bedford Athletic have improved of late.
Bedford Athletic have clawed back some points at the bottom of the table but are still 12 points form safety but within striking distance of the two sides immediately above them in the table, Dudley and Cleckheaton.
It is Bedford’s away form that has proved their downfall this season as they have lost all eight matches and in fact failed to pick up any bonus points as well.
These sides have not met this season.
Prediction: Home win by 14 points.
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Macclesfield v Dudley Kingswinford
Second placed Macclesfield take on second bottom Dudley Kingswinford looking to return to winning ways after last weeks loss at leaders Halifax.
Macclesfield will be keen to return to winning ways with a home win over relegation threatened DK. At home this season they have an excellent record second only to leaders Halifax with seven wins from eight matches picking up fourth four try bonus points on the way, and in fact only leaders Halifax have won there this season.
DK were losers last week for the second week running after a run of back to back wins at the turn of the year. Last week they lost narrowly at home to Cleckheaton in a match they think they should have won missing all five of their kicks at goal during the afternoon.
On the road this season they have managed to pick up three wins in nine matches so Macclesfield will need to be on their guard.
Macclesfield were 18-13 winners at DK earlier in the season.
Prediction: Home win by 12 points.
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Tynedale v Blaydon
Fourth placed Tynedale take on 9th placed Blaydon in this North East derby with both sides looking to return to winning ways.
Tynedale came undone last week at Darlington when all the season injures etc caught up with them as they were beaten and allowed third placed Bradford & Bingley to pull five points clear of them having lost two of their last three matches.
At home this season they have won five and drawn one of their seven matches nut could well suffer a second loss this Saturday.
Blaydon went down to a narrow defeat at home last Saturday to Bradford & Bingley in a try less match which the boot of Tom Rhodes settled with four penalty goals. Prior to that defeat Blaydon had put together an outstanding winning run to climb to eighth place in the league table.
When the sides met at Crow Trees earlier in the season Tynedale were narrow 21-17 winners.
Prediction: Blaydon to win by 10 points.
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