Big matches in juniors week 4

Five junior fixtures this week with several of 2011's playoff candidates in fixtures wanting to go in the right direction early this year as well.

 

Manchester Titans (0-1)  vs  Lancashire Wolverine Colts (1-0) -  Junior North

This one looks tricky for Manchester. The Lancashire Colts topped the North last year and got the better of Manchester 86-8 last year. The Titans are still a small and fairly new side. Victory may be beyond their reach but they will fight hard and can expect wins down the line as they start to bring scorelines down. 

 

Peterborough Saxons  vs  Cambridgeshire Cats (1-1) -  Junior East

The Peterborough Saxons swapped divisions from Central over the winter. They didn't have a great 2011 but the games they lost were close. They may fancy their chances in the East this year but it will be tough this weekend against Cambridgeshire who went undefeated last year. The Cats are defeatable this year though. with an opening weekend loss against the Colchester Gladiators. This is an interesting fixture.

 

Gateshead Senators (0-1)  vs  Lanarkshire Longhorns (1-0) -  Junior North

Gateshead may have lost their first fixture but it was against last year's division winners. Last year these two split their fixtures with the home side winning each fixture. Lanarkshire would like to get the upper hand over their rivals early as they missed the playoffs despite sharing a 6-2 record with Gateshead in 2011. Gateshead then took that position to the finals, Lanarkshire would like that chance.

 

Farnham Knights  vs  Bristol Aztecs  -  Junior South

The South is always tightly contested and last year three sides finished 4-4 in second place. Bristol took the playoff position but Farnham were right there with them. The sides split their fixtures last year. Both sides know it will be tough to beat the national champion London Blitz side so the fixtures between them are important.

 

Kent Exiles (2-0)  vs  Colchester Gladiators (1-0) -  Junior East

The Kent Exiles junior squad appears to have turned a corner over the winter. The side have picked up two victories already, this ties their win total for 2011. Colchester came second in this division last year. Their one win this year so far came against last year's victors the Cats. Kent are not favourites in this one but springing a surprise is possible for them this weekend.