National 1 Prediction league 2023 week 30

 Firstly before we start, Just want to put a massive Thank you   out to Camquin for running both this and many others this season, its been a bit of fun and I hope we have all treated it this way.

 So for the last full weekend, for what its worth, here are my thoughts ,PC police please chill I’ve not done it all season, these are my views only and others are available! 

 Hull 0 v 5 Bishops Stortford  : Hull totally out of their depth from game one, shows the difference between Nat 2 and 1. Stortford yet another season of improvement, well done, they must be a happy camp.

Chinnor 5 v 1 Darlington Mowden Park : Chinnor all at sea till Jan and not sure if its Easter effect making the difference or the loans, but they dug themselves out of a hole, got to the magical 60 point mark and can breath again. DMP yet again flatter to deceive, should really be doing much better with what they have and the massive catchment area.

      
Esher 0 v 5 Rams : Esher, although better post Xmas will need a RFU regig to save themselves, they are a nearly side, when I mean that I mean top 3 side in Nat 2, but bottom 1/3 side in Nat 1. There will be 1 RFU council member voting for no Wasps tomorrow. Rams just keep on going, fair play, out of all 3 at the top, Id like to see Rams make it, they will make a decent fist of the Champ and It wont be run on a pound note

Cinderford 5 v 1 Rosslyn Park  : Id say the smallest budget in the league v the biggest: So Cindy top 1/3 again, well done, front row possible the best in the league and lays a platform: 

Ranger, I'm sorry, but for the 4th season running Parks league position is a total joke for the amount of money outlaid. How they have not finished top, yet again, some questions need to be asked, because something is clearly no right! Its all very well being a flat track bully at home and running a mock on the plastic against poor sides but the season only has 50% of the games at home, in my view, not enough people want to roll their sleeves away from the home comforts and think its their right to win, Just look at Taunton away 2 weeks ago to name but one, the home result v away. Until this changes, Park can have as much money as they like, sign what player they want or what coach they fancy, but they will not win a thing, sorry Ranger!

Sale FC 5 v 1 Birmingham Moseley   : Sale just keep building and are getting it right , Moseley huff and puff but cannot blow the house down a 4/10 season for Moseley at most   

Taunton 5 v 1 Leeds Tykes: 5 points and Taunton have played that get out of jail free card with perfect timing, like Leeds last season. Leeds, really should not have stayed up last year, but did, but the sole has gone out of that club, they will do a TJ's relegated  and not finish in the top half of the league below. Taunton will get 5 on Sat that will see them safe

     
Plymouth Albion 1 v 5 Cambridge: Plymouth at last the sleeping giant stirs, decent starting 15 when all on the field, Outon makes a difference at 9 since joining from Redruth and big Herby still putting fuel in the engine. Cambridge, look they have been outstanding and put a good squad together, but personally and i’ll probably be wrong, a Rams or Sale in the Champ will look better for the game in my books!

 So 22-23 nearly done. Was the league better minus 2 sides. I’m not sure. I think the leagues will take a couple of years to sort out. Looking at whats left in National 1, I think all the top 3 sides coming up will be in the bottom 1/3 come this time next year, as the leagues below now being split into 3 are much much weaker and the sides coming up will not be used to hard, tough games week in week out!

I also think if the RFU asked any club in National 1 do you want it split into 2 leagues, the answer will be no. National 1 for years has been about the standard of games, the travel and quality of  rugby week in week out. If they split it, it will just be another nail in the coffin for club rugby and the way the RFU are going about things that lid is nearly nailed on that  coffin as it is!

Lastly and its not a National 1 subject, but Caldy you have been a brilliant breath of fresh air to the game and have gone on to show just what National 1 has to offer, massive hat tip to all on the Wirral!