Check out our weekly previews and predictions.
NATIONAL THREE NORTH
Bradford & Bingley v Darlington Mowden Park
Third placed Bradford & Bingley entertain 12th placed Darlington Mowden Park knowing they do not just need the win but also the four try bonus point if they are to have a chance of closing the gap on second placed Macclesfield.
The pressure in on the Bees to take maximum points in most matches as they try and claw back the seven point deficit on second placed Macclesfield in the final six matches of the season and they may well need to have to beat leaders Halifax to get that second spot as well as win at Macclesfield. .
At home this season they have won eight out of 10 and will be confident of a ninth success at Wagon Lane this season.
Darlington Mowden Park are also in need of points after falling into the relegation zone last week with their loss at Bedford Athletic. They are though within five points of the four sides immediately above them in the league table and although a win here is unrealistic a bonus point would be useful. .
On the road this season, DMP have picked up two wins and a draw in their 10 matches to date, the 11th worst record in the division.
When these two met early in the season at Mowden Park the North East side took the win with a narrow 31-27 victory.
Prediction: Home win by 12 points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Cleckheaton v Kendal
8th placed Cleckheaton entertain 7th placed Kendal knowing a win would be a huge result in their bid to pull away from the relegation zone.
Cleckheaton are one of the form sides in the league and had won four in a row until going down last weekend to New Brighton in a close match 15-12.
At home this season Cleckheaton have won half their matches, five wins and five defeats.
They will be relying on their home form in the last few weeks as away from home they have three tough fixtures left, Halifax, Bradford & Bingley and Fylde, who have the 2nd, 3rd and 4th best home records in the division.
Kendal are safe from any relegation worries and look to try and move further up the league table as they are only three points behind the two sides above them in the league table, Tynedale and Fylde, who actually meet on Saturday.
Kendal on the road this season have not done too well with just two wins and a draw form their 10 matches.
When these two met at Mint Bridge in the early part of the season Kendal were winners narrowly in a high scoring match 30-27.
Prediction: home success by seven 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 Bedford Athletic
10th placed Darlington entertain bottom of the table Bedford Athletic with both sides in need of points in the relegation battle, although for Bedford Athletic this is a must win f they are to have any chance at all.
Darlington have shown improved form of late and are sixth in the form guide with three wins and a draw in their last six matches.
At Blackwell Meadows this season they have won five and drawn one of their 10 matches and still have to entertain Kendal and Rugby Lions, both winnable games.
Bedford Athletic have given themselves an outside chance of escaping the drop with some good results at home where they have the 7th best record in the division. Their problem has been on the road losing all 10 matches but they need that run to end now and get something from their last two away matches after this both at North East sides, Blaydon and Tynedale. .
Darlington were winners at Putnoe Green early in the season coming through to win narrowly 17-16.
Prediction: Away win by five 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 Blaydon
Second bottom Dudley Kingswinford have home advantage this week as they take on 11th placed Blaydon with both sides desperate for the win in the battle to avoid the drop.
DK are bottom of the Form Guide with just one win ion their last six matches but are still in with a chance of avoiding the drop if they can pick up two or three wins in their final matches. Apart form this they still have to travel to Kendal and Rugby Lions whilst at Heathbrook they have to play Fylde and New Brighton.
Blaydon have lost their last three and four out of the last five and now find themselves right back in the relegation battle. A win here would be a great result for them especially if DMP are turned over at Bradford & Bingley that would put them two wins ahead of the relegation zone. They have also played fewer games than everybody else apart form Darlington.
At Crow Trees early in the season the North East side were comfortable home winners, 27-10
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
Halifax v Rugby Lions
Leaders Halifax are at home to Rugby Lions who are keen to stop their drop down the National Three North league table, although this may not be the match to do that but a good performance could set them up for a strong finish to the season.
Halifax are going for win number 18 in a row this season and will be looking to make it nine in a row this season at home.
Halifax need to keep focused and just keep on taking the wins till they can conform their National Three North Championship title.
Rugby Lions are now two points above the relegation zone and have played a game more than most of their rival and two more than Darlington and Blaydon. Whilst they may not get too much out of this match they do have home fixtures again Blaydon and Dudley Kingswinford to come and trips to Bedford Athletic and Darlington, so their fate is in their own hands.
At Webb Ellis Road early in the season the Yorkshire side were winners 21-13 in the first ever league meeting between the two sides.
Prediction: Home win by 12 points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Macclesfield v New Brighton
Second placed Macclesfield entertain 4th placed New Brighton looking to do the double over them.
Macclesfield were winners again last week keeping their seven point lead over Bradford & Bingley with both sides failing to pick up the bonus point, and by the end of the season bonus points could prove vital.
At home this season Macclesfield have won nine out of ten with only leaders Halifax leaving with a victory.
New Brighton were narrow winners last weekend with a 15-12 home win over the improving Cleckheaton. In the Form Guide they are fourth and have not lost in their last five matches securing three wins and two draws in those games.
On the road this season New Brighton have a 50% record with five wins and five defeats from their 10 matches. .
They cannot finish any higher but would like to make sure they finish no lower than where they are now in the table.
Early in the season Macclesfield were 18-13 at New Brighton.
Prediction: Home win for Macclesfield in their pursuit for second place but only by four points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
Tynedale v Fylde
6th placed Tynedale entertain 5th placed Fylde with both clubs locked on 49 points abut the Lancashire side have a superior points difference.
Tynedale are at the wrong end of the Form Guide with just one win in their last six matches.
At home they have picked up five wins and a draw in their nine home matches to date and still have to entertain top three sides Macclesfield and Bradford & Bingley.
Fylde are 8th in the Form Guide with two win, two draws and two defeats in their last six matches. Away from Woodlands, they do not have the best of records with just two wins and a draw in eight matches on the road.
When these two sides met early this year it was the Lancashire side that took the points in a 26-0 success at Woodlands.
Prediction: Tough call both sides out of form but home win by five points.
Disagree!! Have your say by clicking on the link below
http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/for.allcategorythreads/categoryid/17.cfm
|
