Defeats for Hull Ionians and Old Albanian to begin the New Year leaves both sides still fighting for survival in National One and this weekend, the teams meet in Hertfordshire in what could prove to be a vital fixture.
George Evans is sure Cinderford can make a return to the third tier this season as the Foresters went to the summit of National Two South last weekend.
London Irish Wild Geese produced an excellent performance to end Chinnor’s sixteen-match unbeaten run in National Two South to knock Matt Williams’ side off the summit of the division.
Both Macclesfield and Wharfedale produced gutsy performances to clinch huge victories in National Two North as teams continue to fight for safety.
With Darlington Mowden Park’s trip to Cambridge and Plymouth Albion against Bishop’s Stortford both postponed, there wasn’t a full round of fixtures to begin January, but that did not hinder the entertainment on show.
In the final couple of months of last year, the top two in National Two South managed to distance themselves from the chasing pack meaning Chinnor and Cinderford are now embroiled in a two horse race for automatic promotion to National One.
The first weekend of 2018 focuses on teams fighting to beat the drop in National Two North and with only 12 points separating the bottom six, a winning habit must be found for teams at the wrong end of the table.
National One league leaders Coventry are firmly in control of the promotion race at the halfway point of the season and the Midlands club will be keen to continue their sensational form in 2018.
NCA chats to Old Elthamians’ Dom Lespierre about his route to College Meadow, his journey with the club and why there is a slight sense of disappointment at the halfway mark of the season
Loughborough Students captain Andrew Boyce admits his side entered the festive period with a sense of optimism for the second half of the season following the club’s recent results.