Teams looking to end season strongly in National One
Despite all their off the field problems, Plymouth Albion go into their game with Hartpury having won 15 wins of their last 17 games
©Andrew Beacham
With just two weeks to go in National One, everything has already been decided with Richmond being crowned champions last weekend while Wharfedale and Cinderford were relegated alongside Henley Hawks.
With that in mind, many people may think that their isn’t an awful lot to play for in National One, but each team will be looking to end this campaign in the best possible fashion to help them prepare for next season.
Richmond v Rosslyn Park
Richmond return to the Athletic Ground as Champions of National One following their win over Hartpury College last weekend. They can now enjoy the final two games of the season, but they will want to finish their home games off in style when Rosslyn Park come to visit this Saturday.
Park were tipped for promotion at the start of the season, but had a very inconsistent first half of the campaign which hampered their chances. However, since the turn of the year, Rosslyn have performed well and they have won four of their last five games so expect a good contest in West London.
Plymouth Albion v Hartpury College
Plymouth Albion welcome Hartpury College to Brickfields this weekend looking to continue putting in good performances on the pitch despite all the drama off it. Albion were deducted 30 points for briefly going into administration and rather than finding themselves in fifth place, they are now sit 10th in the table.
Added to this, Director of Rugby Graham Dawe was sacked by the club’s new owners on Monday and his coaches – Simon Lane, Tristian Lark and Lee Jago have also all stepped down. Exeter Chiefs academy coaches Rob Gibson and Sam Morton are now in charge of the club for the remaining two games of the season.
With this in mind, Hartpury College may fancy their chances of claiming their ninth away win of the season on Saturday. With defeat to Richmond last weekend ending the title race, College will now be determined to secure second spot for this season in what has been an excellent campaign for the side and a superb 12 years for College since they entered the league pyramid.
Coventry v Ampthill and District
With them only being a point behind Hartpury College, third placed Ampthill and District will be hoping for an Albion win as they look to get their own job done away at Coventry. It has been an excellent season for Ampthill following promotion last season and they really do look like contenders for a place in the Championship next term.
The A’s travel to the Midlands in great form, but their hosts are also not doing too badly themselves. Coventry are going through their best spell of the season having not suffered a defeat in their last four games and with this being their final home game at the Butts Park Arena this season, they will be hoping to please the home crowd.
Esher v Blackheath
Another side with their sights set on a top three finish are Blackheath. Club were in the promotion race a few weeks ago but lost key games when it mattered most. However, a run of three games unbeaten as put them back in the hunt for a top three spot.
They travel to Esher this weekend who also fell away from the promotion race at the wrong time of the season. They currently sit sixth in the table are looking to wrestle fifth place off Darlington Mowden Park following defeat to them last weekend and a win here could see them achieve that goal.
Darlington Mowden Park v Blaydon
There is a north-east derby to get our teeth into in National One this week as Darlington Mowden Park host Bladyon. DMP have had a superb season and have lost just four games since the start of November which has certainly being a highlight for them this term. Another positive point for them this season his forward Simon Uzokwe who has recently been part of the England Students set-up.
In terms of Blaydon, they secured their safety in National One a couple of games ago and they now sit 11th in the table. One win in their last five matches isn’t great form to end the season with so they will be hoping to put that right before the conclusion of the campaign next weekend, starting with claiming the local bragging rights this Saturday.
Wharfedale v Fylde
Paul Arnold will be pleased that his Fylde side have been able to perform steadily in National One in his first full season in charge at Woodlands. Arnold’s men have sat mid-table for the majority of this campaign and will now be looking to end the term on a high as they look ahead to the 2016/17 season.
There was disappointment for Wharfedale last weekend as a 20-year stay in the third tier of English came to an end as their relegation was confirmed following an 18-10 to Hull Ionians. ‘Dale have won just five games all season and take the trip to Lancashire looking to complete their time in National One on a positive note.
Hull Ionians v Loughborough Students
Both Hull Ionians and Loughborough Students are now able breathe a sigh of relief as they know their places in National One are safe for another year. Following promotion via National Two North last year, Hull Ionians have achieved what they failed to do two years ago and that is to compete in back to back campaigns in National One.
As for Loughborough Students, their survival is another plus point to add to a sensational season for club and the university. With a young side, they have been able to maintain their spot in the third tier of English rugby and also reach a final of the BUCS Championship. Students head to Brantingham Park having won just one of their last five games while the hosts have picked up just two wins in the same period of time.
Cinderford v Henley Hawks
The final game of the weekend sees a meeting of two already relegated sides as Cinderford and Henley Hawks go head-to-head. Both teams have shown great spirit in recent weeks with Cinderford picking up three wins from their last five matches while Henley secured a bonus-point win over Blaydon last Saturday despite already knowing their fate.
It is likely both sides will go into National Two South for next season and will be seen as favourites for promotion back to National One. With that in mind, the sides may see this as an opportunity to gain a psychological over each other five months before the new season gets underway.
