National 2 West so far

Stourbridge are finding themselves a bit adrift at the bottom, with 4 or 5 sides above them all battling to climb clear of the drop.

Leicester Lions find themselves with an 11 point cushion at the top of the table and welcome 3rd place local rivals Hinckley to the Blaby ground this weekend to add some spice to the pre- Christmas derby match. With 6 or 7 sides battling for a shot at the top of the table, the second half of the season will see some cracking contests.

Lions have some tough away games coming up with away fixtures against Dings, Clifton and Redruth amongst some of the toughest facing them, so all will see their opportunity to climb the table as the season comes to a climax in April........................still a long way to go.

Group of four in the middle seem clear of the drop at the moment, with the top four still not away from them. Lions now ten points clear after dropping a bonus point at home to a feisty Luctonians.

Still a long way to go though.

Hornets win over Stourbridge gives them a nice lift, but Stourbridge must be worried now, still a long way to go but these potential relegation battles need winning.

Dings will no doubt feel aggrieved scoring more tries but losing the match, Lions will no doubt be heaving a sigh of relief, very important away win for them.

The same can be said about Clifton, a bonus point win in Exeter means they close the gap by one point, they are definitely having a go, it's a long way yet to the end of the season, but already the games are getting more and more important.

Leicester Lions are in sparkling form, their last three games seeing them hold their opponents to nil scores in the second halves of their games to maintain their record equalling un beaten run. Hinckley are no slouches either but find themselves a bit behind the league leaders and having already lost the reverse fixture earlier in the season will be out to try and take the local bragging rights.

Newport welcome Dings who are sitting third and will be keen to keep the points coming, Newport however really have got to win their home games to climb from third from the bottom.

Old Redcliffians will be keen to get some results going their way, putting together some spirited performances means Exeter Uni will have to be at their best.

My weekly stabs in the dark at picking who will prevail has me going with home win for Exeter Uni, though this could be close. I have tipped Dings to win in Newport, but again fancy the home side to push them hard, Dings will need to be on top form. Barnstaple against Hornets really could go either way, I nearly went for a rare draw with this one.

Finally I tipped the Lions to win 5-0, but I know it won't be easy even at home, but the home record speaks for it's self, could be a feisty and high scoring encounter.

Old Reds have games in hand, but to butcher a well known saying points on the board are worth more than games in the hand, they will hope to find Hinckley bruised after last weeks fixture.

Exeter Uni seem to have slipped into mid table after a promising seasons start, but Redruth have not been as clinical this season either, this is a must win game for the home side if the leaders are not to open up the gap at the top of the table.

Clifton and Dings is doing to be a corker for sure, both have aspirations to top the league, but Clifton do seem to have got their act together and I think home advantage will be the key here.

Luctonians are a tough side and I fear this trip might be a bit of a tall ask for Barnstaple, but the visitors are also in need of points to climb out of the drop zone.