National Two South Preview: Round 11

This is quite arguably the most anticipated weekend in the division so far with the top for all facing one another on this ‘Super Saturday’ of rugby in National League Division Two South.

After Henley Hawks’ tenth victory of the season last weekend against Taunton, they travel to in-form Bishop’s Stortford now go in search of their eleventh straight win. As for Bishop’s Stortford, they have won their last two matches and are looking to solidify their position in the top four this weekend.  They have only had one clash against one of the current top four this season and it ended in victory over Taunton last month.

Taunton will be looking to bounce back from that defeat to Henley last weekend, but it doesn’t get any easier as they welcome second placed Dorking to Hyde Park on Saturday. The hosts know with a win and a bonus point they can go ahead of Dorking, but the visitors are still yet to lose away from home this season and confidence is high at the minute. Expect this to be an enthralling encounter.

Away from the drama and expectancy of those two clashes, fifth placed Chinnor are on the march having won their last five matches and travel to a struggling Canterbury side on Saturday. Other than the top two, Chinnor are the form side in the division and Canterbury have now not won in three games and find themselves in 15th. Canterbury actually won this corresponding fixture 20-13 in October last year, but have the odds firmly stacked against them this time around.

Old Elthamians fell at the hands of Chinnor last Saturday and they will be hoping to get back to winning ways as they host Lyndey. Old Elthamians haven’t won in nearly a month, but go into this weekend as favourites. Lydney were not in action last week as their game against Clifton was postponed so may use their fresher legs to advantage on Saturday as they go in search of their fourth win in six matches, but they have lost all four games on the road this season.

Along with the Old Elthamians, Redruth have the second worst form in the top half having only won twice in their last eight matches. The seventh placed side may feel this weekend is their best opportunity to claim a win as bottom club Dings Crusaders travel to Cornwell.  In terms of the visitors, they only have one win on the board so far this season, but they did do the double over Redruth last season.

Eighth placed Worthing Raiders were the victims of a shock result last weekend as they were beaten by the Cornish All Blacks and this week host Shelford who are on a high after their win over Redruth last Saturday. Worthing have won twice in their last five matches both of which were home wins. Shelford got their first win in five last weekend and will hope their isn’t a repeat of when the last time these two met as Worthing ran out 47-3 winners in March 2013.

Cambridge have turned their recent fortunes around as they are now ninth in the table having won their last two against Southend Saxons and Lydney. This week it’s the turn of the Cornish All Blacks to go to Cambridge and like Shelford, they are on a high after beating Worthing last weekend. Before that the All Blacks had lost their last five and have only won once away all season. Both these teams won their home fixtures against each other last season.

Finally, it’s a mid-table matchup as Clifton host Southend Saxons. Clifton weren’t in action last week, but have only won one of their last five matches and haven’t won at home since the 20th September when they beat Bishop’s Stortford.  Southend will be looking to put their Cambridge result behind them from last weekend and gain their second away win of the season. They were narrowly beaten 19-18 in this fixture last year.