National League 1

This week in National League 1 bottom of the table Macclesfield recorded their second win of the season while Coventry broke a club record as they won their sixteenth consecutive league game.

Round 19 was one of the best yet as league leaders Ealing slipped up for just the second time this season while newly promoted Hartpury have now won an incredible six consecutive games.

Rugby reporter Steve Smith casts his eye over this weekends National League One fixtures and gives his predictions.

Here our TRU's SSE National League Division One predictions for Round 18.

As the league entered its 15th playing week Macclesfield once again find it a hard day at the office, unable to get anything away from home at the Woodlands.

National League 1 reached its half way stage this past weekend and despite the weather getting colder and the pitches getting boggier there was no shortage of action up and down the country.

A few weeks ago we mentioned that it looked like Ealing Trailfinders could cruise to the league championship but after losing their first game of the season against Coventry last weekend, the title race is firmly on.

Ealing Trailfinders continue to run away with the lead in National League Division One with the likes of Rossyln Park and Fylde trying desperately to keep pace as we head into the 11th round of matches which sees the top four all at home.

Ealing Trailfinders continued their march towards the National League Division One title after scoring eight tries to beat Hartpury College 50-17.

Fylde had to work very hard against a tough, abrasive Darlington Mowden Park side on their first ever visit to the impressive 25,000 capacity Northern Echo Arena.

Fylde rugby club continued their great early-season form this weekend with a convincing 43-25 over Loughborough Students, who are still without a win this year.

Ollie Parkinson scored a last-minute try to hand Sedgley Park Tigers a 29-27 win over Birmingham Bees in National League Two North

Fylde look to get back to winning ways when they welcome Loughborough Students to the Woodlands on Saturday (ko 3pm) in what has traditionally been one of the most exciting and attacking of the season's fixtures in National One.

This North West derby was a rather one sided affair as the final score demonstrates but not in all respects. Macclesfield had about as much possession as Fylde but could make little of it. In contradistinction, the visitors looked like scoring every time they attacked through clever running lines, slick handling and combination play between backs and forwards.

The North West's two senior clubs outside the Premiership meet early in the new season when Fylde travel to meet Macclesfield at Priory Park on Saturday (ko 3pm). Games between these old rivals are always fierce and edgy with the region's bragging rights at stake.

In a mixed performance by both teams, Fylde deservedly came out on top after a considerable struggle to subdue an obdurate Blackheath squad in the opening game of the 2014-15 season.

Fylde is delighted to welcome old friends & rivals Blackheath to the Woodlands for a splendid opening to the 2014/15 National One season on Saturday (ko 3pm). Prior to the establishment of national league rugby in 1992, Fylde & Blackheath always met in the opening game of each new season so this is a fine return to an old tradition.

Dr Gregory Nicholls led a young Hawks squad out on Thursday evening in a hastily arranged pre-season game against Ormskirk. It may be that some readers are unfamiar with this local lad, formerly at Arnold School, who has returned home.

The Woodlands has been home of Fylde Rugby Club ever since their creation back in 1919 and since then the ground has hosted some fantastic rugby alongside the Fylde coastline.

Fylde RFC is delighted to announce the partnership of Evan Stewart, who is appointed 1st team skipper for a 3rd season, & Chris Johnson who will be vice-captain.