Heavensgame.com previews this weekend's National League One games with Leeds Carnegie looking to continue their unbeaten run.

 
Sedgley Park v Leeds Carnegie

Sedgley Park will still be reeling after a crushing 71-5 defeat against Exeter and they have to play a Leeds Carnegie side that are unbeaten all season and amassed nearly 250 points in their opening six victories. By Steve Chambers

After winning their opening two fixtures of the season, Sedgley Park have somewhat faded away after suffering four successive defeats and they will face an almighty challenge to return to winning ways as they face an in-form Leeds Carnegie side.

Leeds come into the game high of confidence and currently lead National League One by five points.  They have the strongest defence in the league and their relegation from The Guinness Premiership last year has not affected them whatsoever and they will be looking to make it seven wins out of seven on Saturday against Sedgley Park.

Prediction: Leeds Carnegie Win

Bedford v Otley

Third place Bedford welcome an Otley side to Goldington Road who have struggled to adapt to life in National League One as they languish a place off the bottom after their sixth successive defeat at the hands of Plymouth Albion last weekend.

 The Yorkshire club have only managed a meagre three points and will face an uphill battle against a strong Bedford side.

The Blues go into the game on the back of a comfortable 26-3 victory against Coventry on Friday night and will be looking to maintain their winning ways and put pressure on Leeds Carnegie at the top of the table.

Prediction: Bedford Win

Plymouth Albion v Exeter

Exeter visit their West Country rivals Plymouth Albion on Saturday on the back of a 71-5 annihilation of Sedgley Park. 

The Chiefs ran in eleven tries last weekend and will be hoping they are on top try-scoring form again as they make the short journey to take on an Albion side who come into the game in high spirits after beating Otley 31-16.

Plymouth currently lie mid-table after three wins and three losses in their opening half-dozen fixtures and will be hoping a local derby will push their season on.   

After scoring five tries of their own last weekend this has every ingredient to be a high-scoring affair as Plymouth look to defeat second placed Exeter.

Prediction: Exeter Win

Doncaster v Coventry

Doncaster suffered a disappointing 18-9 defeat against Nottingham last weekend and will be looking to bounce back on Saturday as they host a Coventry side that also lost last weekend to Bedford Blues.

Doncaster have had a decent start to the new campaign and will be looking to use home advantage to their benefit and improve on their current fifth place in the league as the top four begin to pull away from the other teams in the league.

Coventry currently lie tenth in National League One after picking up three wins in their opening six games and will be look to return to winning form when they travel to Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon.

Prediction: Doncaster Win

 Esher v Manchester

Bottom club Manchester visit Esher in desperate need of a win having only gained two points all season after losing their opening six games.

Manchester had an improved performance last weekend after they narrowly lost out 12-6 at home to Cornish Pirates and they will feel Esher could be the chance to get their season up and running as the Surrey club lie in the lower half of National League One.

Esher lie only three places above Manchester but go into Saturday’s game on the back of last weekend’s 14-8 win at Newbury and will be looking to put back to back victories together to push away from the drop zone. 

Prediction: Esher Win

Moseley v Nottingham

Moseley will be hoping the visit of Nottingham will end in victory as they aim to put their 47-23 defeat against Rotherham behind them. 

Moseley leaked seven tries to the Titans last weekend and will be hoping that their defence can withstand the Nottingham attacking line with more ease on Saturday as they look to build on their current eighth place in National League One.

Nottingham picked up a vital 18-9 win last weekend against Doncaster as they keep pressure on the top three.  Their fourth place hardly reflects their start to the season as they have only lost once in their opening six games and will be looking to leapfrog Exeter and Bedford, who lie on the same points and put pressure on Leeds at the top.

Prediction: Nottingham Win

Newbury v London Welsh

Newbury narrowly lost out to Esher last weekend and will be hoping their second consecutive home game will see them bounce back as they host London Welsh.
Newbury have struggled so far and only have a solitary win to their name but the visit of the Dragons will excite the Blues as they aim to notch up their second victory of the season.

London Welsh come into the game on the back of a 38-0 defeat against runaway leaders Leeds Carnegie and will be hoping that this less stiff opposition will get them back on the winning road as they look to push on from their current sixth position.

Prediction: London Welsh Win

Cornish Pirates v Rotherham

The only game on Sunday sees the Cornish Pirates taking on the Rotherham Titans and both will be looking to build on last weekend’s victories.

The Pirates ran out narrow 12-6 winners at basement boys Manchester and will be looking to move into the top-half of the table and improve on their current ninth place.  They have had a stop-start season as they have not been able to put back to back wins together all season.

After losing their first four games, Rotherham looked to be struggling but successive victories against Esher and Moseley has sent the Titans away from the relegation places and a win against The Pirates will see the Yorkshire club leapfrog their opponents and continue their surge up the league.

Prediction: Rotherham Titans Win

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