Richmond and Hartpury ready for showdown

As ever in National One, there are some interesting fixtures this weekend none more so than the top two taking on each other.

Blackheath will be looking to take advantage of that result, but they will have to get past Coventry to do so while at the other end of the table Blaydon will be looking to keep up their good run of form as they take on an out of form Henley Hawks and Wharfedale have tough task against Hull Ionians.

Richmond v Hartpury College

Richmond’s first task as they look to defend their position at the top of the table couldn’t be much tougher as they take on second place Hartpury College this weekend. Richmond are on an incredible run of form at the moment and the fact they are at home certainly gives them an edge this Saturday. Howver, they will no doubt be wary of Hartpury who are looking for a reaction after their defeat to Rosslyn Park last weekend.

Coventry v Blackheath

The perfect result from that top of the table clash would a draw for Blackheath, but they must get the job done when they travel to the Butts Park Arena to take on Coventry this Saturday. The hosts have been struggling to find consistent form of late, but may fancy their chances considering Blackheath dropped points at home last weekend.

Blackheath will be looking for an immediate response to their draw against Fylde as they look to decrease the gap at the top of the table.

Esher v Darlington Mowden Park

Esher seem to have slipped off the radar in recent weeks, but that isn’t a bad thing. They are going about their business nicely and are now only six points behind leaders Richmond. Their visitors this Saturday are an in-form Darlington Mowden Park who have won their last four matches as they continue their charge away from the relegation zone. This is set to be an intriguing prospect down in Surrey.

Cinderford v Rosslyn Park

Rosslyn Park’s win over Hartpury last week will be a huge confidence booster for them as Park look to close the gap on the top four this weekend when they travel to Cinderford. The hosts surprised everyone with their victory over Blaydon last Saturday, but Park will be hoping to continue to make ground on the front runners.

Fylde v Ampthill and District

This mid-table encounter between Fylde and Ampthill & District will certainly be a close one. Fylde showed exactly what they are capable of last weekend against Blackheath, but have failed  to do that consistently this season hence why they are ninth in the table. Ampthill halted their slide last week with a win over Hull Ionians, despite their injury troubles and know with a win that they can pull clear of their Lancashire opponents this weekend.

Plymouth Albion v Loughborough Students

Plymouth Albion are in the same battle as Fylde and Ampthill as they are now finding their feet in this division after relegation from National One last season. They are back on their patch this Saturday when they welcome Loughborough Students who are 12^th in the table and just six points clear of the relegation places. Albion know a win in this fixture were certainly put them in a better shape heading into the new year.

Hull Ionians v Wharfedale

The defeat to Ampthill last weekend, may have hurt Hull Ionians after beating them to the National Two North title last season, but they will looking to bounce back at Brantingham Park this Saturday.

They welcome bottom club Wharfedale who have now lost 11 games this season, so the I’s will fancy their chances of securing their  sixth win of the campaign.

Blaydon v Henley Hawks

Blaydon are certainly a team on the rise the moment. After being bottom of the table a few weeks ago, the north-east side are now out of the drop zone and five points clear of the relegation places due to three victories in their last five matches. Their form is stark contrast to Henley’s who have slipped to 15^th in the table after six straight defeats so Blaydon may feel they can extend their good recent results.