National Two South: Cambridge looking to spoil Taunton's start

Taunton head into week seven still with a perfect record, but take on their biggest challenge yet this Saturday as the travel to a Cambridge side full of confidence.

Clifton are hoping to maintain their impressive start, while the Old Albanian will be keeping tabs on all the activity that goes on above them.

Elsewhere, Launceston, Redingensians and Chinnor will all be searching for wins as they look to move away from danger as swiftly as possible.

Cambridge v Taunton

Taunton made it six wins from six last week against Bury St Edmunds and are the only side from the Championship down to National Two South with a 100 per cent record in the national leagues.

This weekend they face arguably their toughest test to date as they go to a bang in form Cambridge side. Taunton have picked up 11 victories in their last 17 away matches which includes a 24-29 win against Cambridge last season.

In terms of the hosts on Saturday, they are improving each week. Currently third in the table, they have won their last four matches and know that a bonus point win by a 20 point margin, could take them top this weekend. The ‘Blood and Sand’ have won both of their home games at Volac Park this season and in fact, have won 13 of their last 17 matches on home soil. Expect a cracker this weekend.

Southend Saxons v Clifton

It has been an amazing start to the season for Clifton. After finishing just three points clear of safety last season, they now sit second in the table having won five of their six matches.  They have been imperious at home winning all four of their games, but now must translate that into an away performance.

Clifton have won one of their two matches on the road this season – that coming against bottom club Launceston - so will be hoping to double their tally for the campaign on Saturday.

They visit a Southend side who finished below Clifton last year and were only saved from the drop on ‘Games Won’.

They have also begun this season well, but have had a mixed start at home so far. A win, a draw and a defeat is their record to date and they will want to add one more to the ‘W’ column this Saturday. They did beat Clifton 36-18 in this fixture at the beginning of March this year.

Chinnor v Old Albanian

Taking a view of the top from  just further back are the Old Albanian who have made a solid start to life in National Two South after relegation last season. They have had minor blips against Southend and recently against Cambridge, but the OA’s are still very much in the frame for promotion at this early stage.

They have won just once so far on the road which came on the opening day of the season against Launceston and they will be itching to get some away wins on the board to help boost their promotion chances.

As for Chinnor, it is a completely different story. After they finished sixth last season, they have had a miserable start to the 15/16 season. No wins to their name as yet sees them languishing in 14^th place, but they continue to pick up bonus points which could prove vital come April.

Chinnor have played just two games at home this campaign and also have won just two of their last six at the Rectory Pavilion.

Dorking v Redruth

Cast your mind back two weeks and Redruth were breathing down the neck of league leaders Taunton. They then suffered back to back defeats, but a win against Chinnor last week has put them back within four points of the top two.

The Reds travel to Dorking this Saturday knowing that they have already matched their wins on the road from last season (2). Their record is still poor away from home though with just four wins coming from 18 matches.

Dorking’s inconsistency is hindering their progress at the minute and any hopes they had of pushing for promotion are all but over after a stuttering start to the 15/16 season.

At home, Dorking have looked good winning two of their three matches which will give them confidence heading into this weekend. The hosts have actually lost just five times in their last 18 home games. Dorking won this fixture in convincing fashion last year beating Redruth 50-7.

Bishop’s Stortford v Canterbury

Early promotion favourites Bishop’s Stortford currently find themselves in sixth place in the league having suffered two defeats in their last four matches.

Stortford return home this weekend where they have won both of their games so far this season. They have won their last eight at home so this will be a tough test for Canterbury.

The City Men started the campaign in fine form winning their first three games, but three straight defeats has given them a harsh reality check as they have slipped to 11^th in the table.

Canterbury have won two of their three games away from home and can better their number of a wins for last season, with victory on Saturday.

With just two wins on their travels last season, it was a shock to see Canterbury beat Stortford 12-19 in this game last campaign.

Redingensians v Old Elthamians

Three wins in their last four as seen the Old Elthamians move into seventh place in the table, but all of them have come at home.

They travel to the newly promoted Redingensians this Saturday as the OE’s look for their first away win in seven matches. They managed just four wins on the road in the entire season last year.

In terms of the Redingensians, they will be hoping that their last win at home against Worthing will inspire them to another victory at Old Bath Roadt this Saturday.

The Rams have won just once this season and have already played three games on home soil. They are currently seven points from safety and a defeat this weekend could set the alarm bells off.

Bury St Edmunds v Worthing Raiders

After three straight wins, Worthing have now suffered two defeats and their aims for a potential promotion place are starting to become increasingly faint.

Worthing have picked up just one win on the road so far and that came at Barnes. Added this, nine wins from last 18 away matches isn’t good enough to be challenging near the top.

As for Bury, a win against Canterbury and a very positive performance against the league leaders Taunton sees them sitting in 12^th position or now, but I am sure they would have been pleased with 12 points from six matches at the start of the campaign.

They have an identical record at home and away this season, but Bury have lost just three times at home in 16 matches.

Launceston v Barnes

Barnes are the highest placed team who have come up into this division this season after picking up two straight wins against Dorking  and the Old Elthamians. They will fancy their chances of clinching their first away win of the season against a Launceston side desperately short on confidence.

They sit bottom of the table, still winless and without any points to their name. They already look in serious trouble. They picked up seven wins at home last season and they will have to draw on that this weekend if they are to turn their fortunes around.