National 1 Prediction league 2022 week 18

So where do we start? Quick recap on where I think we are, sorry if its too long, but had a bit of time on my hands this week!!

Ravens came good again in a cracker v Cindy which could have gone either way. Cambridge nicked a home win against Sale meaning Sale have now lost the last 2 and big spending Cambridge climb the table a little!

Blackheath suffer another loss, against yet again another side below them in the table and the Cityslickers played a get out of jail free card, but failed again to get max points on the road, Power still cannot find a post match smile but at least we have ditched the boy band back to front baseball cap look! Rams made sure of their mid table position with a win on the TJ ploughed field and Plymouth and Taunton both came good in the very wet South West.

The league however has a bit of a squif to it..

You do need to look at the bigger picture and take into account that some people have played up to two games (or 10 points) less than others that sit around them. So at the moment looking at this league, it’s not a level deck.

What we do know is the Cityslickers are now at home for the next 3 rounds and TJ’s are on the road for the next 3 weeks. That should mean the book ends of this league are firmly in place for the rest of this month. But on the grid in-between these, there could be a lot of jockeying for position as clubs catch up on games, before we enter the final lap of I'd say 10 games.

I’d also say, for what its worth, the clubs that are in false positions at present at the top are Cambridge and Taunton, who can both be overtaken by Chinnor and Rams with 2 x 5 point wins and at the bottom Blackheath who can be overtaken by up to 4 sides as the games are played out, which in turn could leave them 3rd from bottom and in trouble!

If Sale, Caldy and Cindy are going to have a proper dig at the top, they cannot afford to drop many more points, as the wise money is on Park being another 15 points nearer the goal come the end of Jan At the other end with 9 away games out of 14 to come, I think its as good as all over for TJs already as they have trips to 3 of the top 4 in the next 3 weeks and the gap to second from bottom at the end of these 3 fixtures could be just too big to close. The battle will be for the final relegation place, with many clubs looking over their shoulders. The last thing to add into the mix is England 20s are now away for 6 weeks, training camps and games, that will affect some sides more than others with loan and D/R players not being about.

Birmingham Moseley v Caldy: 1-5 Moseley a great win on the road at Well Hall in the “Dennis the Menace memorial match”, but those Ravens are building a head of steam up after their last two wins. You cannot get even money odds with Ladbrooks on a Nick Royal chip and chase try anymore! Think the drive Caldy have to get in the mix at the top with be two much for a mid table Moseley side, with not a lot to play for.

Bishop's Stortford v Leeds Tykes: 5-2 As games at the bottom go, this is pretty big. Stortfords kit should have dried out by kick off and Leeds will be thinking “if only” after the effort against Park. This is a must win for both sides in their quest to stay in the league. I’m going with Stortford only because they are at home, but I think Leeds will be clear of the bottom 3 come the run in and use their games in hand to advantage. Also the end of the BUSC league will help their run in 

Cinderford v Chinnor: 5-1 Cindy were very unlucky at Caldy lets be honest, some very strange ref calls, but hey ho. Now Chinnor have not played since about Oct it feels like. So I am going back to the start of the season with this prediction. When Chinnor could not hold a lead past 60 minutes as they ran out of fuel. Not playing for over a month I think will have a big effect on them in this game. Cindy as said came so close last week, but know they cannot drop many more points if they wish to finish in the top two.

Darlington Mowden Park v Blackheath : 5-0 As with Stortford and Leeds this is a massive game at the bottom DMP win this at home they could go above Club and relieve a lot of pressure as they will still have a game in hand. Club have lost the last 2 games in the league, the last, as said being to yet another side below them in the “Dennis the Menace memorial match”, it really does not matter what bonus points you are picking up, if you are giving sides below you 3 or 4 points extra per game, nobody is going to be worried about you picking up a bonus point or two because its not long before they are out of sight. DMP at home with a little help from their Falcon friends will have too much for a poor club side. I can see this league not having a Kent side in it next season with OE’s, TJ’s and Blackheath in the bottom 3.

Rams v Plymouth Albion: 5-1 Think both sides will be happy they are playing on a decent pitch. Rams overcame TJs in 4 feet of mud on a ploughed field last week, Plymouth overcame Stortford on a water park that was fit for the I’m a Cleb cyclone.

Although Plymouths win was good, Rams need at start pushing on if they are going to get into the top four, I think the top two has gone, but they should have too much at home In this fixture..

Rosslyn Park v Taunton: 5-2 Ok look, Cityslickers at home on the plastic should be 5 points. But if Taunton come loaded, with baby chiefs and bears on the bus, this could be close a) they will like the surface as the 8/9/10 can all play and b) they will fancy their chances of an upset and they would love this one. The game at Taunton, Titans let themselves down and it was over by half time, this on the road I think will be pretty close and although I’ve gone home win, a Titans win would not shock me, they do however need Maunder and Walsh from Exeter in tandem to do this.

Sale FC v Tonbridge Judd’s : 5-0 When do you not want to play Sale away, Sale away, Sale away? (sorry old tune, some of you younger bucks won't know)

1. when they have lost two close ones and must get 5 points to get back in the mix 
2. when the Sharks big guns are away in France leaving the younger sharks looking for local blood and a home game and lastly
3. having beaten Sale at home, they will now be looking for revenge.

You put those 3 together and throw in Heywood road, which is one of the hardest place to go in the league at the best of times. But when you’re bottom of the league and its the first of 3 fixtures on paper, that you are not getting a lot out of all on the road, it has the makings of a very long afternoon followed by a longer trip home. This could be a big number if the weather stays dry, by its Manchester in Jan, so a 5-3 scoreline and pass the bar of soap around for 80 minutes is more likely to be on the cards!

As always, a lot of tongue in cheek but some thoughts for you all as well!

I properly get the lot wrong, but Ive stuck my neck out, 84-4 decent first session all be it 4 tests too late!

Stay safe you all..