National League 1 - 2015-6 Wk 23½

In spite of all the grim weather this season, we have managed to escape having any games postponed. With "reserve" weekends built into the structure of Nat 1, the team can look forward to a well-earned rest - and after the trials of a 14 man, 4T bonus win over Henley last Saturday, who can say they don't deserve it? With 6N rugby on TV, the lads will have the chance to recuperate and ease those aches and pains from three so-called "easy" games as two fixtures against opposition higher in the table loom. 

There will be a reduced number of catch-up games where the weather has taken it's toll across the winter - and one in particular is of interest to us. Blackheath (who will travel to Brickfields on 12 March - our only home game in that month) make the trek up North to Darlington on Saturday to face our next opponents when a full list resumes on the fifth. Both teams lost last weekend; Blackheath to Hartpury (15 - 9) and DMP to leaders Richmond (14 - 7). Blackheath, very much this year's dark horses, stumbled at the final hurdle having contained their hosts for most of the game. DMP saw their 12 match winning streak (started back in Nov against us) come to an end as Richmond, in difficult conditions, grabbed two early tries and maintained a grip on the game thereafter.

With Albion in fourth slot and 76 on the points tally, Blackheath are a place and three league points ahead of us. Darlington are in seventh and trail us by six, so a narrow win for them at the Northern Echo Arena would be the most favourable outcome for us. This will be the start of a very tight final quarter for the teams currently in the top four this season - or those with ambitions to finish there. Albion must feel confident that they are up to the challenge after a determined and ultimately stylish under-strength finish against the Hawks.

The other fixture that will be of interest this weekend is the England Counties fixture against Scotland Clubs XV at Galashiels on Friday at 19.30. Christian Judge has been picked at 3 to start. This is the first of two games featuring predominantly Nat 1 players; the second will be on the next reserve weekend at Blackheath against France Federale (Friday 12 Mar, KO: 19.30). James Shanahan is still part of the coaching set-up for EC. Team list for tomorrow's game: DMP Official No word as yet whether/where it will be streamed live online...

Here's the fixture list for the postponed games:

Sat 27 Feb

Blaydon v Henley   14:30   Crow Trees

Darlington Mowden Park v Blackheath   15:00   Northern Echo Arena

Fylde v Ampthill   15:00   Woodlands