Check out our weekly previews and predictions for National One.
National One
Exeter v Pertemps Bees
Exeter of late have shown some improved form and with three wins in their last four matches have climbed to seventh but that is still way short of where they would have expected to be at this stage of the season. At home they have not done too bad with just Orrell and Plymouth leaving the County ground with the points this season.
The Bees have got back on track after a blip and put together a run of four wins in five matches. On the road the Bees have won four out of six with their defeats coming at Orrell and London Welsh.
When they met earlier in the season it was the Bees who came out on top at 27-18.
Team news:
Prediction: Home win by less than seven points.
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London Welsh v Henley Hawks
The Hawks returned to winning ways last Saturday as they ended a five match losing run with a home success over Bristol. The Welsh played two weeks ago and they returned to winning ways as they ended a three match losing run with an away win at Bedford Blues.
So far on the road this season the Hawks have managed just the one success but with the Welsh having just two wins from six matches at Old Deer Park the visitors will fancy their chances of leaving with the points. Although they have already lost to the Welsh this season, going down 27-16 at Dry Leas.
Team news:
Prediction: Home win by two scores.
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Manchester v Bedford
Manchester need to turn their form round dramatically if they are going to have any chance of getting out of the relegation zone. They start the second half of the season with a must win home fixture against Bedford Blues who will be looking to avoid a third straight loss in the league.
Bedford are having a reasonable season but were beaten last time out at home by London Welsh and remained in sixth place seven points behind fifth placed Plymouth Albion.
They have though picked up just the one win on the road winning 24-15 at Plymouth Albion and have relied heavily on their form at Goldington Road to keep them up the table.
Team news:
Prediction: Away win by less than 10 points.
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Penzance & Newlyn v Bristol
The Pirates have picked up all three of their league wins this season at home and will hope to make it four on Saturday when they entertain 10th placed Bristol.
They are four points adrift of safety at present after Henley beat Bristol at Dry Leas last Saturday. They go into the game looking to end a three match losing run against a Bristol side that have won two of their last three league matches.
Penzance have had problems scoring points this season which after their three previous seasons will come as a bit of a shock to them as they were scoring tries for fun. They currently have the same points difference as bottom of the table Manchester with both on –263.
Bristol are still on a learning curve and have been blowing hot and cold this season and on their day seem capable of giving anyone a game but on another day just not perform.
Team news:
Prediction: Away win by less than 10 points.
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Plymouth Albion v Coventry
5th placed Plymouth Albion entertain 10th placed Coventry with both sides in good form of late. Coventry after a poor start to the season have lost just one of their last five league matches and that a defeat at Worcester.
Albion ended a four match winning streak last time out when they went down to a defeat at the hands of third placed Pertemps Bees by six points.
Coventry have yet to pick up a win on the road this season with their best result a draw at bottom of the table Manchester. But Plymouth have saved their best form for matches on the road where they have managed six wins out of seven with Orrell their only road defeat to date.
When the sides met at Coundon Road earlier in the season it was Albion who took the points with a 23-19 victory.
Team news:
Prediction: Home win by less than 10 points.
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Wakefield v Orrell
Orrell will be pushing for all five points on offer as they look to maintain the pressure on leaders Worcester whom they meet next week at Edge Hall Road. Wakefield are going through a bad spell at present and are bottom of the Form Guide table with no points in their last six matches which has caused them to drop to 12th place in the National One League table.
When the sides met at Edge Hall Road earlier on the season it went the way of Orrell with a 55-7 success and with the way the sides are playing at present you cannot rule out a similar score line this weekend. .
Team news:
Prediction: Away win by three scores.
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Worcester v Otley
Otley gave Worcester a run for their money on the opening day of the season and Worcester had to come back late on to take the points bit failed to nail the bonus point.
With Orrell breathing down their neck leaders Worcester cannot afford any mistakes and need to try and pick up the bonus point this time round.
Otley come into the game in 4th place and looking for a fourth consecutive league success. Otley have done well on the road this season and picked up five wins in seven matches but know that if Worcester hit top form they will need to be at their best defensively just to stay in the game.
Team news:
Prediction: Home win by four scores.
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