Past half distance and all to play for - week 9 preview

As we move into the second half of the season there is not a region at any level is close to being claimed as won. The closest are the London Warriors at 6-0 atop Premiership South. Indeed they are the only non-division 2 side still sitting unbeaten. But indeed their own position is not certain as they await their return fixture against London Blitz in July. By the end of this month we will see teams qualifying for the post season and victories are now looking increasingly vital.

 

Bristol Aztecs  (3-1)  vs  London Blitz  (4-1)  Premiership South

The Aztecs will take heart that Blitz have finally lost games this season. Bristol's season has been short so far with just a big win against Ipswich and a big loss to the Warriors in their record. With London Olympians tied in the standings the Aztecs would love to get something from this game. Blitz are coming off a large win against Ipswich last weekend and are still not easy targets. They will be expected to get through the Aztecs in the same manner as they did in 2011. This will be an interesting fixture.

Yorkshire Rams  (1-1-3)  vs  East Kilbride Pirates  (3-1)  Premiership North

Yorkshire with their one win and three ties have found themselves in third place in the North. East Kilbride meanwhile are sitting at the top of the table having beaten Tamworth last time out and are looking good as their schedule plays out. Yorkshire need a win here to keep their record going but the Pirates come in as favourites based on last year when they beat the Rams three times on their way to the title. Yorkshire will be encouraged that two of those fixtures were close though, this will show where the Rams are situated in this region.

London Warriors  (6-0)  vs  London Olympians  (3-1)  Premiership South

The London Warriors are undoubtedly the side to beat this year in Britball. Overcoming London Blitz last month put them in a great position and the side will not be struggling for confidence any time soon. This weekend they take on an Olympians side that has had five weeks off. The Olympians have a tough schedule over the next month though with the Warriors this weekend and then two games against London Blitz. They will not be favoured in any of those but if they can keep their heads up more victories should be on the way with better odds in their last three games.

Leicester Falcons  (0-1-2)  vs  Doncaster Mustangs  (2-1-1)  Premiership North

Doncaster are looking increasingly strong having not lost on the field this season. Their win against Tamworth last weekend puts them on track to be one of the top two sides in the region this season. A shame then that they cannot reach the postseason after forfeiting their opener match. Leicester meanwhile have yet to pick up a win after two ties. Their one loss came at Doncaster three weeks ago. That result was revenge for Doncaster after last season's playoffs but Leicester really need a win in this one.

Birmingham Bulls  (0-2-2)  vs  Tamworth Phoenix  (2-2)  Premiership North

Tamworth came into this season as favourites in this region but they have now lost two in a row. Phoenix need to come back this weekend. Birmingham are in the same situation though, they are currently winless after picking up just two ties. They are a good squad so a win is likely before the end of the year, it will be tough to get that here though.

 

Sussex Thunder  (3-1)  vs  Cambridgeshire Cats  (2-3)  Division 1 Central & South

Cambridgeshire have had a tough start to the season with both Sussex and Berkshire picking up wins against them already. With Sussex hosting the Cats this weekend it will be difficult for Cambridgeshire to stay in the hunt, a victory in this game is likely required for them to do so though. Thunder meanwhile had a great result last weekend against South Wales, the match was close and fierce and showed that both sides have the ability to compete for the title. Sussex like East Kent need to keep pace with Berkshire to stay in the race at the top. This is a game that both sides need and it should be a good watch.

Kent Exiles  (2-4)  vs  Berkshire Renegades  (4-1)  Division 1 Central & South

The Exiles have had a decent start to their time in Division 1 but are not quite on the level as their rivals yet. Berkshire on the other hand are already mixing it with the opposition and are currently at the top of the table. The second half of their season is also fairly easy compared to some rivals with three games against the bottom two sides, things look good for the promoted Renegades.

Gateshead Senators  (2-3)  vs  West Coast Trojans  (2-1)  Division 1 North

May was great for West Coast, they shrugged off their opening loss against Coventry to take decisive wins against Gateshead and Nottingham. Having lost to West Coast already Gateshead will want revenge this weekend but it will not come easy. The Senators will almost certainly lose postseason contention with a loss this weekend.

Essex Spartans  (1-3)  vs  East Kent Mavericks  (3-1)  Division 1 Central & South

It’s been a fantastic start to the season for the East Kent Mavericks who picked up some coaching tips from the States over the winter and seem to be putting them to good use down in the South East. While the Mavericks are embroiled in a battle with four sides at the top of the region Essex are on the other end of the scale. The Spartans have played some good football this season but it has been tough for them to get results. As it stands they sit bottom of the region, their goal is to beat Hampshire and Kent and anything here would put them in a great position.

Shropshire Revolution  (1-4)  vs  Nottingham Caesars  (5-2)  Division 1 North

The Caesars got back to winning ways thanks to this fixture last weekend. Sitting at 5-2 puts Nottingham in a great position at this stage but they need to keep winning, with so many of their games so early in the season it could lead to some nervy moments as other teams play through their fixtures and they sit back unable to counter. Shropshire will hope that home field closes down some of the gap between the sides but they know they are not fighting for the postseason this year.

Hampshire Thrashers  (2-4)  vs  South Wales Warriors  (2-2)  Division 1 Central & South

The Warriors fell to a .500 record with their loss against Sussex last weekend. To stop from falling further from the top they need to win this game. A positive result is not a certainty though, the Hampshire Thrashers have a good home record with three tight games there. While South Wales go in favourites the home side cannot be counted out.

Merseyside Nighthawks  (0-4)  vs  Lancashire Wolverines  (3-1)  Division 1 North

Lancashire and Berkshire are both showing the strength of Division 2 at the moment. Both were promoted to Division 1 this season and both currently lead their respective regions. Lancashire also showed they have the ability to justify their top spot at this stage with a strong win over Coventry in early May. Merseyside have had a tough start meanwhile and will be eager to show that they cannot be seen as an easy win for the top sides in a strong division. While Lancashire are expected to triumph here Merseyside could come out on top having had three tight losses in their four games. Lancashire will be keen not to be swallowed by the chasing pack though.

 

D C Presidents  (1-2-1)  vs  Crewe Railroaders  (1-4)  Division 2 Central

It might not seem like a match between two teams each with one victory each on the table should be the top Division 2 match of the week. But this game pits the two 2012 debutants against eachother as they continue to learn the ropes. When these two were both associate teams last year they had the chance to face off. On that occasion it was DC who came out on top putting up 62 unanswered points against Crewe. Now in the league DC are narrowly ahead again thanks to a cancelled game against Chester. This should be an intense game with each side eager to get bragging rights over the other.

Colchester Gladiators  (3-2)  vs  Milton Keynes Pathfinders  (3-2)  Division 2 East

These two sides met on opening day two months ago. Then it was Milton Keynes picking up a home victory. Since the beginning of May Colchester are unbeaten including a win over the fast starting Bedfordshire Blue Raiders. Milton Keynes meanwhile are unbeaten outside of fixtures against region leaders Peterborough and look good. This game is very important for both sides. Three teams are sat at 3-2 in the East with Watford just behind 2-3. That is a very tight window where one slip pushes you to the bottom of the pack.

Dundee Hurricanes  (5-1)  vs  Clyde Valley Blackhawks  (4-1)  Division 2 North

Look familiar? The first fixture between these two came last weekend. In that game Dundee walked out on top. Can Clyde Valley turn things around and keep themselves right in contention? With Edinburgh still unbeaten at the top neither side can afford a slip here.

Lincolnshire Bombers  (1-3)  vs  Sheffield Predators  (3-0-1)  Division 2 Central

Lincolnshire's season started superbly with a win against Staffordshire, since then they have fallen into the bottom half of the region and are hoping to beat Crewe and D C. As those two sides fight it out this weekend they take on Sheffield. The Predators got a big win last weekend against Manchester and are in good form, a win is required for them here to keep up the pressure on Chester at the top.

Bristol Apache  (0-3)  vs  Cornish Sharks  (2-2)  Division 2 West

2012 has not seen a great start to the season for Bristol Apache three postponed games were followed by three losses. June will see them take on Cornish Sharks twice and they may well be able to challenge in those fixtures. The Sharks have so far played two sides to get to their current 2-2 record. They beat Gloucester twice and lost to Bournemouth twice we therefore do not know where they truly stand in the grand scheme of this region. The playoffs are still within reach but they will need to get past Bristol for those discussions to be on the horizon.

Article tags: Bristol Aztecs adult - London Blitz adult - Yorkshire Rams adult - East Kilbride Pirates adult - London Warriors adult - London Olympians adult - Leicester Falcons adult - Doncaster Mustangs adult - Birmingham Bulls adult - Tamworth Phoenix adult - Sussex Thunder adult - Cambridgeshire Cats adult - Kent Exiles adult - Berkshire Renegades adult - Gateshead Senators adult - West Coast Trojans adult - Essex Spartans adult - East Kent Mavericks adult - Shropshire Revolution adult - Nottingham Caesars adult - Hampshire Thrashers adult - South Wales Warriors adult - Merseyside Nighthawks adult - Lancashire Wolverines adult - D C Presidents adult - Crewe Railroaders adult - Colchester Gladiators adult - Milton Keynes Pathfinders adult - Dundee Hurricanes adult - Clyde Valley Blackhawks adult - Lincolnshire Bombers adult - Sheffield Predators adult - Bristol Apache adult - Cornish Sharks adult -