National One Predictions Round 18

Here our TRU's SSE National League Division One predictions for Round 18.

Blackheath (5^th, 50pts) vs. Old Albanians (13^th, 32pts)

The hosts were away winners at Loughborough last week and have won 6 of their 8 home games so far this season while the visiting OA’s have won just two matches on their travels, conceding a hefty 236 points. Full-back Michael Canty offers a great option from full-back for Blackheath and his pace has got him ten tries this season. The visitors also have a try scorer in Billy Johnson who has seven himseld, which includes a try in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. This will be close but a narrow Blackheath win is the likely result when all things considered. Blackheath by 6

Coventry (2^nd, 72pts) vs. Blaydon (10^th, 38pts)

Second place Cov came unstuck against the men from Crow Trees earlier in the season and will want to put right that this Saturday at Butts Park. Blaydon are somewhat unpredictable with their performances ranging from dyer to exquisite, but last week they were simply outclassed by league leaders Ealing. Cov should win comfortably and one name I would keep an eye out for in the match report is Robert Knox, he has been one stand out player for me in recent weeks and will likely play a crucial role again on Saturday. Coventry by 15

 Darlington Mowden Park (11^th, 33pts) vs. Richmond (6^th, 49pts)

DMP know that every win is crucial between now and the end of the season as the bottom of the table continues to be an extremely close affair. Richmond have a good away record having won four matches on their travels but Darlington match that with home wins. It’s a tough one for sure, but DMP can do it I think, but it will be nip and tuck from start to finish. Darlington by 5

Ealing Trailfinders (1^st, 78pts) vs. Wharfedale (9^th, 41pts)

The league leaders had a tough December but started 2015 with a convincing win against Blaydon. The Dale do come into this on the back of four consecutive wins and that should give them confidence but nevertheless, Ealing have the ability, confidence and the scoring power to win this one relatively easily. Ealing by 20

Fylde (4^th, 62pts) vs. Esher (7^th, 45pts)

The Lancastrians came away from Rosslyn Park with a losing bonus point last weekend while visiting Esher started 2015 with a first away victory of the season away to bottom of the pile Macclesfield. Their trip to Woodlands will be a different story; Fylde are unbeaten at home in nine matches and have notched trying scoring bonus points in eight of those. Fylde will come away with the maximum points and wing pair Oli Brennand and Jordan Dorrington between them will touch down at least 4 tries. Fylde by 24

Hartpury College (8^th, 42pts) vs. Macclesfield (16^th, 7pts)

This clash demonstrates the difference in fortunes in two promoted sides as Hartpury continue to perform well in mid-table while Macclesfield are as good as down. The College will win and take maximum points with College goal kicker Gareth Thompson adding a fair few points with his boot as well. Hartpruy by 26

Rosslyn Park (3^rd, 68pts) vs. Loughborough Students (12^th, 32pts)

Third place Rosslyn Park kept their composure to keep fourth place Fylde at an arms length with a home victory over the Lancastrians last weekend, while the Students lost out on home turf to Blackheath. When you consider Parks terrific home record and the students horrific away record the hosts have to be the clear favourites. Rosslyn Park by 15

Tynedale (14^th, 28pts) vs. Cinderford (15^th, 25pts)

Probably the biggest game of the weekend has two of the bottom three locking horns with the winner giving themselves a slightly better chance of survival. Injury troubled Tynedale are in dyer form after seven back-to-back losses while the Stags have two wins in their last four yet struggled last weekend against DMP. I think similarly to last season Tynedale will recover and avoid the drop, and they will begin that with crucial win this weekend. Tynedale by 6