Richmond and Hartpury College ready for title showdown

Round 28 could well be the week that promotion and relegation is settled in National One with the title and the drop firmly on the line this Saturday.

The top two in Richmomd and Hartpury College face-off this weekend with Richmond knowing a win will clinch them promotion and the league title ending College's hopes once and for all.

As for the bottom of the table, both Wharfedale and Cinderford cannot afford to lose this weekend otherwise it's curtains for each side.

Hartpury College v Richmond

This really is last chance saloon for Hartpury College if they still believe they have a chance of winning the title this year.

Currently, they sit second in the table and 10 points off the top and this weekend, they take on league leaders Richmond.

Any win or even a draw would see Richmond crowned champions of National One and earn promotion while a victory for College would keep them in the race for another week.

The leaders have lost just three times this season and with just three games left of the campaign, the final step to the Championship is now in sight.

Rosslyn Park v Cinderford

From the top to the bottom where 15th placed Cinderford take the trip to Rosslyn Park knowing a win will extend their stay in National One for at least another week.

Having won three of their last four games, that good run for Cinderford ended last week with a defeat at Blaydon and now they sit 12 points from safety.

Their opposition this Saturday may still be reeling from that narrow defeat against Hartpury College last week. Rosslyn Park scored five tries and somehow still lost the match so they will be eager to bounce back with a win this weekend.

This will he a tough test for Cinderford who know a defeat will end their time in National One.

Wharfedale v Hull Ionians

Like Cinderford, Wharfedale are also hoping they can pull off a great escape as they look to be on the verge of relegation to National Two.

This weekend they have relegation rivals Hull Ionians as their visitors to Skipton which presents a huge opportunity for 'Dale to give themselves a glimmer of hope.

Hull Ionians are a place above Wharfedale and currently sit 11 points clear of the drop.

The I's have won just one of their last 10 games, but did put in an encouraging display against third places Ampthill & District six days ago.

A win on Saturday will confirm their safety and relegate Wharfedale do survival really is on the line in Yorkshire this Saturday.

Ampthill & District v Fylde

Ampthill & District keep on impressing this season and with three games left of the campaign, their sights are now on a second placed finish after promotion to National One 12 months ago.

The A's have Fylde as their visitors to Dillingham Park this Saturday who have stayed mid-table throughout this term. Paul Arnold and his side will be happy to consolidate and start building for next season, but they certainly will be focused on ending this year on a high.

Blackheath v Coventry

Two of the current in-form sides of National One collide at the Rectory Field this Saturday as Blackheath take on Coventry.

The hosts have won their last three games while Coventry are going through one of their best spells of the season having picked up victories in their last four fixtures.

The form Blackheath are in though will only strengthen their chances of finishing in the top two after their title challenge evaporated a couple of months ago. That said, it had still been a strong season for the side.

Club are just five points behind second placed Hartpury College while Coventry can only finish as high as ninth due to their inconsistent displays this term. This is set to be an intriguing battle on Saturday.

Darlington Mowden Park v Esher

A battle for a top six place is on the agenda in the North-East this weekend as Darlington Mowden Park host Esher.

DMP suffered a surprise defeat to Coventry last time out while Esher will travel up to Darlington oozing with confidence after a comfortable win over already relegated Henley Hawks.

DMP will be looking to hit back immediately with their 18th win of the season and secure a well deserved top six finish while Esher will have other ideas.

Loughborough Students v Plymouth Albion

Loughborough Students are still requiring one more win to seal their place in National One for next season.

The Midlands side currently sit 11 points clear of the drop and will head into this fixture with Plymouth Albion in a buoyant mood following a spirited display against Richmond six days ago.

Their opposition, Plymouth Albion, returned to winning ways last Saturday after suffering their first defeat in 14 games when they lost to Ampthill two weeks ago.

However, Albion have had a tough couple of weeks and it was announced this week that as been docked 30 points after going into adminstration briefly. Bruce Priday and David Venables have now bought the club and now they are looking to end the season strongly and build for the future.

Henley Hawks v Blaydon

Already relegated Henley Hawks will want to end the season in a positive manner and they hope that will begin when they host Blaydon this weekend.

The north-east outfit secured their place in National One for the 16/17 season last Saturday with a solid display against Cinderford and they will be wanting to continue their momentum right up until the end of this campaign.