National One Preview: Round 10

Ealing Trailfinders continue to run away with the lead in National League Division One with the likes of Rosslyn Park and Fylde trying desperately to keep pace as we head into the 11th round of matches which sees the top four all at home.

The only game on Friday this weekend sees second placed Rosslyn Park welcome Esher to Upper Richmond Road as they look to reduce the gap to just three points before Ealing play on Saturday. The hosts have won their last seven matches and have not lost all season at home. As for Esher, they ended a three match losing streak when they beat Blackheath last Saturday, but have lost all their away games this season so far. They lost both fixtures to Rossyln Park last season.

On to Saturday and to the league leaders Ealing who have Played 10 and Won 10 so far this season and have a firm control on the division. They came away from Darlington Mowden Park with a victory last week despite a strong second half performance from the home side. This weekend Ealing host Tynedale who currently sit ninth, but stunned third placed Fylde last weekend beating them 9-8 so will take confidence into Saturday’s match.

That defeat for Fylde ended a five game winning run and that was the second time they have lost by a single point this season. It seems that Tynedale are bogey side for Fylde having only won twice in nine outings against them so they will be looking to bounce back with a win in the ‘War of the Roses’ battle against Wharfedale on Saturday. As for the ‘Greens’ they have steadied the ship in terms of results with two back to back homes wins after a run of five straight defeats. The home side have the upper hand in this contest winning 12 of the last 17 meetings between the teams.

Fourth placed Coventry are on a six game winning run and host Darlington Mowden Park on Saturday. This will be the first ever meeting between the sides as Coventry look to put the pressure on the teams around them. Darlington have won three times this season with their last win being on the road in an impressive display against Tynedale two weeks ago. They did draw to Fylde a few weeks back, so they have shown they can compete against the top four sides despite being 13th.

Richmond travel to Old Albanians on Saturday after narrowly claiming the honours against Loughborough Students last weekend. They won 24-22 thanks to 75th minute penalty from Rob Kirby to make it their eighth win of the season. Their hosts this weekend are starting to find some form as they have now won their last two after going the whole of September and October without a win. The Old Albanians beat Cinderford last Saturday and will be hoping to extend their winning run this weekend.

Blackheath still couldn’t find a win last weekend against Esher at the eight time of asking and it ended a three game winning run for the side. Hartpury College visit them this weekend who have lost their last two matches (and lost in the last minute to Coventry a week ago.) They have had the definition of a mixed season so far having won five and lost five and with that record, obviously sit midtable.

Blaydon meet Cinderford in the north-east in this bottom of the table clash. Another home defeat last week for Cinderford means they are now seven points from safety. Blaydon will be glad to be back on home soil after two defeats on the road in as many weeks. The hosts sit 11th in the table.

Bottom side Macclesfield take the trip to Loughborough Students on Saturday. Macc are still finding their feet in this division and are still without a win. As for Loughborough they were edged out by Richmond last weekend, but have won their last two at home.