Teams on the brink in National One

Nothing can be decided in National One this weekend, but nevertheless, there are some intriguing battles taking place at both ends of the table.

Richmond know a win for them on Saturday and a loss for Hartpury College could leave the league leaders needing just a point to win the title next week.

At the other end, Cinderford will be hoping to keep their remarkable turnaround going this Saturday as they continue to battle against the drop while wins for Blaydon, Loughborough Students & Hull Ionians could be enough to secure their places in National One for next season.

Richmond v Loughborough Students

League leaders Richmond return home this weekend after a narrow victory over Wharfedale last Saturday. It may have been nervy & edgy for the table toppers, but that sort of win can clinch you championships and Richmond will hope that is the case this season.

They currently top National One by 10 points with four games left to play  and their next assignment is Loughborough Students.

The Midlands side occupy 11th place in the table and are 11 points clear of the relegation zone, so one more win could well be enough to secure their place in National One for the next campaign.

Hartpury College v Rosslyn Park

Chasing down Richmond are Hartpury College. Last week they got their job done in a professional manner against Loughborough Students, but this Saturday they face a slightly more difficult task when they host Rosslyn Park.

College may still think they have a chance of overhauling Richmond, but as we have said in previous weeks, they will need the league leaders to slip-up if their promotion dream is to become a reality.

As for Rosslyn Park, they were tipped as one of the favourites for the league title right back when the season started in September, but their poor form early on this term ruled them out of another promotion challenge.

However, Park have won seven of their last 13 matches and now have their sights on a potential top six finish. This won't be a straight forward task for either side, but if Hartpury were to loss this weekend, the title would more or less be heading to Richmond.

Hull Ionians v Ampthill & District

One of the most impressive teams in recent weeks and of the National One season so far have been Ampthill & District.

After beating Bishops Stortford last May to earn promotion to National One via the National Two play-off, the A's have not looked back. As it stands, they sit third in the table and have every chance of finishing in the top two for a second successive season.

They are five points behind Hartpury College and are favourites to pick up maximum points this weekend when they take on Hull Ionians.

The I's went up with Ampthill last season as league champions, but they have found life in National One much tougher. They were badly beaten by Blackheath last Saturday and with just two wins from their last 16 games, they are in desperate need of a victory.

Hull Ionians sit one place and nine points clear of the drop zone as things stand and they will be hoping for a repeat result from last season's fixture when they won 7-6 against Ampthill at Brantingham Park.

Fylde v Blackheath

After being humbled by Darlington Mowden Park last week, Fylde return to Woodlands hoping to bounce back in front of their own supporters when they take on Blackheath this Saturday.

The Lancashire club have being incredibly inconsistent this season, but Paul Arnold's men will be looking forward to preparing for another National One campaign as they currently sit ninth in the table.

In terms of Blackheath, what once was a promising promotion campaign has now turned into hopes of a top three finish. Recent defeats against title rivals ended their chances of a shot at the Championship and now they are aiming to finish the campaign on a high.

They sit fourth in the league and are six points behind Hartputy College. Club looked back to their best last weekend against Hull Ionians and will be hoping to carry that performance into their final four games.

Plymouth Albion v Wharfedale

Plymouth Albion haven't had the happiest couple of weeks. Firstly, the board announced that they were going to put the club up for sale and then last Saturday, they suffered their first defeat in 14 matches when they were beaten by Ampthill.

Despite this, Albion have had a pretty good season following relegation and their aim now will be to finish in a top three spot. That is easier said than done though as their opponents this weekend, won't roll over that easily.

Wharfedale are fighting for their National One lives as they currently sit 14th place in the table and nine points from safety.

Prop Matt Beasley has issued a rallying cry to his players this week and after their performance against Richmond last Saturday, Dale have every chance of upsetting the odds this weekend.

Coventry v Darlington Mowden Park

Coventry and Darlington Mowden Park meet in the Midlands this weekend with both sides currently in great form.

The visitors have been on fire this term and have won 15 of their last 17 matches which has seen them move up to sixth in the table.

To a lesser extent, Coventry are on a run of three wins in a row, but nevertheless they will be confident for this weekend. Like Fylde, Coventry have been inconsistent this season and sit 10th in the table, but they may fancy their chances at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday.

Esher v Henley Hawks

Esher were stunned last week by relegation threatened Cinderford and this Saturday, they take on another side in the bottom three this when near neighbours Henley Hawks come to town.

However, It will be a different prospect for Esher this Saturday. Henley Hawks were relegated back down to National Two South six days ago after just five wins this term.

The Hawks' spirit and commitment has never been in question this season so they will be looking to end their time in National One on a high as they look to overhaul the seventh placed team.

Blaydon v Cinderford

As the saying goes, we have saved the best till last. This really is a relegation battle in the North-East this Saturday as 15th placed Cinderford travel to Blaydon looking to continue their remarkable escape from relegation.

It still looks unlikely, but with three wins from their last four games, Cinderford are now 10 points from safety. This fixture against Blaydon gives them a great chance to keep their survival hopes alive as the hosts are also not safe just yet.

Blaydon occupy 12th in the table are are 10 points clear of the drop. They still require another win to be fully sure of their National One status next season.

In addition to this, If they were to win on Saturday, then that could well be the final nail in the coffin of Cinderford. No matter what happens, the stakes will be high on Saturday in this encounter.