Nat 1 Previews

Bedford Blues v Exeter Chiefs

Fourth placed Bedford Blues are at home to ninth placed Exeter Chiefs looking to make it three wins in a row.   

The Blues after a draw and a loss in their opening two matches have out together back to back wins as they look to make it three in a row after wins at home to Sedgley Park and away at Newbury. 

Bedford, welcome Tom Varndell, on a short term loan from Leicester Tigers as he looks to get some first team action.

The Chiefs are looking to build on last week’s excellent win over the Earth Titans who were unbeaten going into the game.

On the road this season the Chiefs have already picked up a win at Nottingham on the opening day of the season but in their second road trip of the season they were beaten at the Pertemps Bees.

When these two sides met last season in this fixture the Blues were 28-13 winners whilst at the County Ground the Chiefs edged it 26-23.

Prediction: Nine point home win for the Blues.  

 

London Welsh v Doncaster

Second placed Doncaster travel to 10^th placed London Welsh looking to maintain their excellent start to the season.

The Welsh have played just once at Old Deer Par this season losing to Newbury 21-13.

Doncaster have won three out of four to make an excellent start to the season. They have played twice away form home this season and were easy winners at Sedgley Park but just came unstuck at Plymouth Albion losing late on in a close match 14-13.

Last season when these two sides met at Old Deer Park it ended in a 27 all draw whilst the match at Doncaster went the way of the home side 30-11.   

Prediction: Away win for Doncaster by eight points.   

 

Moseley v Pertemps Bees

Fifth placed Pertemps Bees travel to 12^th placed Moseley looking to make it two wins on the road in a row and three matches away unbeaten.

Moseley have played twice at home this season and had contrasting results. They started the season with a home defeat at the hands of the Earth Titans but flowed that with a win over Bedford Blues.

The Bees are looking for back to back wins on the road after coming through against Sedgley Park last week and could end the day at the top of the table. 

Prediction: Interesting one this match but will go home win by five points.  

 

Plymouth Albion v Coventry

Leaders Plymouth Albion take on eighth placed looking to maintain their 100% start to the season.

Plymouth Albion have won all four matches this season but on the road they have been convincing winners whilst at home they have not been as convincing with wins over London Welsh and Doncaster. 

Coventry are unbeaten on the road with a win at Sedgley Park and then picking up a draw at Exeter Chiefs in the first match at Sandy Park.

Last season Albion won a high scoring affair at Brickfields 34-27 and with a 13-7 win at the Butts Arena did the double over Coventry.      

Prediction: Albion to win at Brickfields by 10 points  

 

Earth Titans v Waterloo

Third placed Earth Titans take on 14^th placed Waterloo looking to return to winning ways. 

The Titans after three successive wins were beaten at Exeter Chiefs last week as they lost their 100% record.

In their one home match to date this season they were 27-8 winners over Otley in a Yorkshire derby. 

Waterloo have played just once on the road and were thumped at Nottingham 63-17.   

They have just the one win this season but it was against the much fancied Cornish Pirates 19-16 in week two.

Prediction: Titans to win by 10 points at Clifton Lane.  

 

Sedgley Park v Otley

Bottom of the table Sedgley Park take on 13^th placed Otley with both sides in need of a win. 

Sedgley Park were beaten for the fourth successive times last Saturday going down narrowly at home to the Pertemps Bees having been well beaten by Coventry and Doncaster. This has got to be a home win for Park as they take on an Otley side also struggling to find some form.    

Otley also have had a poor start to the new season with three defeat s in four matches with a 37-27 home win over Nottingham their only success to date. 

Last season Otley did the double over Park winning 19-7 at Park Lane and 33-27 at Cross Green.

Prediction: Tough call but will go home win for Park by six points.  

 

Nottingham v Leeds Tykes

11^th placed Nottingham take on sixth placed Leeds Tykes looking for their second league win of the season.

At home this season they have won one and lost one, they were beaten on the opening day of the season by Exeter Chiefs but against Waterloo they ran out comfortable winners 63-17.

Leeds Tykes after their opening weekend defeat at home to London Welsh have put together three successive wins with away wins at Newbury and the Pertemps Bees and then last Saturday night at home to the Cornish Pirates.   

Prediction: Tykes to win by eight points.  

 

Cornish Pirates v Newbury

Seventh placed Cornish Pirates take on second bottom Newbury looking to maintain their 100% home record this season.  

The Pirates have won both their home matches this season but lost both their matches on the road.   

Newbury are looking to make it two in a row on the road after winning at London Welsh in their previous away fixture. They were beaten on the road at Doncaster on the opening day of the season in their other away match this season.  

The Pirates were 30-10 winners in this fixture last season and with a narrow 26-25 win over Newbury at Monks Lane did the double over them.

Prediction: Pirates to win by 10 points.