Nat 1 Previews

Coventry v Moseley

Eighth placed Coventry entertain 12^th placed Moseley looking to build on last weeks draw at Exeter Chiefs. 

Coventry have played once at home this season coming unstuck against Earth Titans in week two 22-17.

Moseley after their win over Bedford Blues in week two were well beaten down in Cornwall by the Cornish Pirates last Sunday as they look for their first points on the road this season.  

Prediction: Home win by seven points.  

Doncaster v Nottingham

Fourth placed Doncaster entertain ninth placed Nottingham looking to maintain their confident start t the season.

Doncaster have been the surprise package so far this season winning two of their opening three matches with the one defeat coming last Saturday as they went down by a single point at Plymouth Albion. 

Nottingham will be looking to build on their big home win over Waterloo last Sunday after defeats at home to Exeter Chiefs and away at Otley in their opening two matches. 

Nottingham were 36-31 winners in this fixture and with a 12-0 home win did the double over Doncaster. 

Prediction: Home win by 10 points for the Knights.  

Exeter Chiefs v Earth Titans

Leaders Earth Titans travel to the West Country to take on 10^th placed Exeter Chiefs.

The Chiefs will be looking for their first win at Sandy Park after drawing last Saturday at home to Coventry 13 all in front of a bumper 5000 plus crowd.

The Titans top the table with three successive wins a point clear of Plymouth Albion.

On the road this season they have already won twice at Moseley and Coventry as they look for a hat trick of road wins.

The Chiefs were 29-23 winners in this fixture but at Clifton Lane the Titans were 17-10 winners.

Prediction: Titans to win by five points.   

Newbury v Bedford Blues

5^th placed Bedford Blues travel 12^th placed Newbury looking for back to back wins.

Newbury after losing their first two matches of the season picked up their first win at Old Deer Park against London Welsh 21-13. In their only home match so far this season they were beaten by Leeds Tykes 24-10.

Bedford Blues made a disappointing start to the new season with an opening day draw at home to Pertemps Bees and followed it up with a loss at Moseley before finally picking up their first win of the season at home to Sedgley Park last Saturday. They have though picked up the four try bonus point in all three matches, the only side in the division to do so. 

Last season Bedford were 50-17 winners at Monks Lane whilst at Goldington Road they thrashed the Berkshire side 79-22.

Prediction:  Bedford Blues to win by six points on the road.   

Otley v Plymouth Albion

Second placed Plymouth Albion take on 11^th placed Otley looking to get a win which could see them go top with the Titans having a tough match at Exeter Chiefs. 

Otley have made a disappointing start to the season but in their only home match to date they were 37-27 winners over Nottingham at Cross Green. 

Albion are one of two sides with a 100% record and were winners away from home on the opening day of the season at Waterloo 45-9 but them have been given tough games by London Welsh and Doncaster but come through to win.

Otley were narrow 15-14 winners in this fixture last season whilst at Brickfields Albion were comfortable 33-3 victors.

Prediction: .Albion to win by seven points at Cross Green.  

Sedgley Park v Pertemps Bees

Bottom of the table Sedgley Park have home advantage over 6^th placed Pertemps Bees as they look to break their duck.

Park have suffered three straight defeats averaging over 40 points against in each match and failing to pick up any bonus points along the way.

The Bees will be looking to get back to winning ways and keep up with the leaders. They have started well with a draw at Bedford Blues on the opening day of the season and then had an excellent home win over Exeter Chiefs and were unlucky last week against Leeds Tykes pushing them all the way.

Last season this match ended as a 33 all draw whilst at Sharmans Cross the Bees were 12-6 winners.

Prediction: Bees to win by eight points at Park Lane.  

Waterloo v London Welsh

Second bottom Waterloo entertain 13^th placed London Irish with both sides in need of a win.

Waterloo have had a strange season suffering heavy defeats at home to Plymouth and away at Nottingham whilst beating the Cornish Pirates in their other match.

These are the sort of matches they have to win otherwise they will become involved in a relegation battle.

The Welsh were opening weekend winners at Leeds Tykes but since then have lost at Plymouth and at home to Newbury to drop down the table.  

Prediction: Could go either way but will go home win by five points.   

Leeds Tykes v Cornish Pirates

Third placed Cornish Pirates travel to seventh placed Leeds Tykes with both sides needing this win. 

The Tykes after their surprise opening weekend defeat at the hands of London Welsh bounced back with away wins at Newbury and the Pertemps Bees to get their season back on track.

The Pirates have been convincing winners at home with wins over Otley and Moseley but in their only road trip they were losers at Blundellsands against Waterloo. 

Prediction:  Tykes to win by six points over the Pirates.