National One set to be a Christmas cracker

We have reached the halfway point of the National One season and it is incredibly close at both ends of the table heading into 2016.

We have reached the halfway point of the National One season and it is incredibly close at both ends of the table heading into 2016.

At the top, Richmond and Hartpury College go into the final fixture of the year with a point separating them while Blackheath are just three points off the pace.

Down at bottom, five points is the gap between the bottom and 13^th place meaning any slip-up could be costly.

A running theme in recent weeks is that each game is proving vital and will have implications come the end of the season and this Saturday is no different as the top eight all face each other.

Rosslyn Park v Richmond

Rosslyn Park were one of the sides that took advantage of the top four dropping points last weekend with their win over Cinderford. League leaders Richmond are in town this weekend and Park know that a victory would well and truly throw them back into the title race.

Richmond on the other hand will be looking to stay top heading into the Christmas period after their lead was cut to one point after defeat to Hartpury College last Saturday.

Hartpury College v Plymouth Albion

Hartpury College know that any slip up from Richmond this weekend will firmly open the door up for them to swoop in and take the number one spot at Christmas. They will have to get their job done first and it isn’t a straight forward one.

Plymouth Albion are their visitors for this final fixture in 2015 and they have been going well of late having secured three wins in a row. The side relegated from the Championship last season is now starting to find its feet in the league and will prove a tough test for a title chasing Hartpury side on Saturday.

Blackheath v Esher

Blackheath come into one of the fixtures of the weekend only three points off the top and they do have a chance to go to the summit of National One if both Richmond and Hartpury fail to win. Their assignment this weekend is against fourth placed Esher.

Esher will be frustrated to have lost at home to Darlington Mowden Park last Saturday as they failed to move back into the title race, but a win this weekend will certainly give them confidence that they can push on in the New Year.

Ampthill and District v Coventry

Ampthill and District will be quite satisfied by the way their season has gone so far. After promotion via the National Two play-off last season, they find themselves in seventh place having won seven of their 13 games this campaign.

As for Coventry they have had a disappointing season. They were certainly in the mix at the start of this year for a promotion challenge but inconsistency has seen them stay in mid-table for the majority of the season. Coventry head into this contest level on points with Ampthill and do know a win here could take them as high as sixth.

Darlington Mowden Park v Blaydon

At this time of year, stringing a good run of results together can be vital and Darlington Mowden Park are doing just that. Five straight wins including victories over Coventry and Esher as seen DMP climb to ninth in the table and 16 points clear of the relegation zone.

Blaydon travel down the A1 this weekend 12^th in the table and they are back in action this week after their came against Henley Hawks was called off. Their last result was a surprise defeat to Cinderford, but form goes out the window when it comes to derby day especially in the north-east.

Wharfedale v Fylde

Wharfedale head into this encounter with Fylde off the back of an excellent away win over Hull Ionians. ‘Dale remain in the bottom three but are now just three points from safety as they go in search of their fourth win of the season.

Fylde come to Yorkshire having not being involved last week as their game against Ampthill was postponed so they will be itching to get back in action as they look to extend their run to just one defeat in their last five matches.

Loughborough Students v Hull Ionians

Loughborough Students remain just six points from the relegation zone and a win on Saturday against Hull Ionians will certainly ease some nerves to end 2015.

They may fancy their chances against a Hull Ionians side that has seen a slight dip in results in recent weeks after two defeats to Wharfedale and Ampthill. This will be a big victory for either side heading into the Christmas break.

Henley Hawks v Cinderford

Out of all the games played in the bottom half this Saturday, this is the crucial one as Henley Hawks meet Cinderford. The visitors have the better form at the moment as they sit 15^th in the league having won three matches this season including that recent victory over Blaydon and a very credible bonus point defeat to Rosslyn Park.

Since promotion to National One, Henley have found it tough. They are at the foot of this division for the first time this season and have now lost their last seven matches. If there ever was a time for their revival to start, it is now.