League title in touching distance for Richmond

Round 25 marks the final stretch of the season but for league leaders, Richmond they just need take each game as it comes as the league title draws ever closer.

At the bottom, Blaydon and Loughborough Students will need to keep up their good recent runs in order to guarantee their safety while wins seem a just for the bottom three in this fight for survival.

Richmond v Ampthill & District

Well the time has nearly come for Richmond. They are on the verge of the league title but must negotiate this next step on their journey as they take on fourth placed Ampthill & District at home.

The A's have done exceptionally well after promotion last season and in truth, they have not surprised anyone with some of their performances this term.

As it stands, Richmond are 13 points clear of second placed Hartpury College and need to win four of their last six matches to gain promotion but it might be even less than that if their challengers slip up. But first on the agenda, is this Saturday as they go in search of a 21st win of the season.

Hartpury College v Wharfedale

Needing Richmond to drop points are Hartpury College who know they can't afford to lose any more matches between now and the end of the season if they still believe they have a shot at the Championship.

They host relegation threatened Wharfedale this weekend who are also in need of a victory. They currently sit 10 points from safety in 14th place and a defeat here could be a final nail in their coffin if results elsewhere go against them. College won't be doing them any favours though and will be aiming for a bonus-point win.

Plymouth Albion v Blackheath

There is a lot to do for Blackheath if they still harbour promotion hopes. Club are third in the table and 15 points behind Richmond after damaging losses to Hartpury, Richmond and Darlington Mowden Park,

Their opponents this weekend are Plymouth Albion who sit 5th in the table  - one point behind Blackheath - and they gave really clicked into gear in the second half of this season after their relegation.

This will be a tight affair on the South  Coast and a win for the home side could see then move into the top three.

Esher v Blaydon

Esher's season has tailed off over the last couple of months. Recent defeats have ended their promotion hopes and they have recently parted company with Director of Rugby Mike Schmid so Esher will now be hoping to end the season in a positive manner.

The visitors on Saturday have hit good form at just the right time. Three wins from their last five games as moved them out of the relegation zone and up to 12th in the table. The North-East side are 11 points clear of the drop with six games left so two more wins could seal their place in National One for next season.

Hull Ionians v Darlington Mowden Park

Hull Ionians welcome Darlington Mowden Park to Humberside this weekend looking to move themselves away from an immediate return to National Two North.

After being crowned champions of that division last year, The I's have struggled in the second half of this season and now find themselves 10 points clear of the drop.

In contrast, DMP have performed superbly this campaign including a 13 game winning streak which saw them rocket up the table. The top six is now a realistic goal for the North-East club and a win at Brantingham Park this weekend will help them on their way to achieving that goal.

Loughborough Students v Rosslyn Park

After a late, but vital win against Blaydon last weekend, Loughborough Students moved up to 11th place in the table and 11 points above the relegation zone. Another victory here would be another huge step on their way to securing their National One status for another year.

They host a Rosslyn Park side this weekend that has won five of their last seven games. Park have had a below par season, but look determined to end it on a high and maintain their top half position until the end of the campaign.

Fylde v Henely Hawks

The pressure seems to be all on Henley Hawks when they travel to Woodlands to take on Fylde this weekend.

The Hawks are currently rooted to the bottom of the table, but whatever the outcome of Hull Ionians' game with Darlington Mowden Park, Henley cannot be relegated back down to National Two South on Saturday.

They sit 18 points from safety and prepare to take on a Fylde side that has spent the majority of the campaign in the comfort of mid-table.

They have shown at times though, that can turn on the style and if that happens on Saturday, Henley's fate will be all but sealed.

Coventry v Cinderford

Like Fylde, Coventry have also failed to cement a place in the top half of the table this season as they prepare to welcome 15th placed Cinderford to the Butts Park Arena this Saturday.

The hosts are 15 points clear of trouble and look pretty safe from the drop but a win against Cinderford won't harm that at all.

The visitors will be hoping to extend Coventry's losing steak to five matches this weekend as they look to extend their own unbeaten run.

Cinderford have won their last two games and sit 15 points from safety. Those victories have given then a slight chance of survival and if they are to win in the Midlands on Saturday, that glimmer of hope may start to become brighter.