Review week 8 M2EN

Melbourne wrapped up a comfortable bonus point victory over rock bottom Southwell with 13 Trys to keep their place at the top of the table.

On to the other fixtures

We both correctly predicted 3 of the fixtures.

Lincoln proved too strong for Ilkeston with a bonus point 33-12 victory and continue their strong home form.

Loughborough beat local rivals Ashby too with a bonus point win 28-8.

Ashbourne took the long road to Market Rasen and in a high scoring close game lost 29-26 but came away with 2 points from the fixture. Market Rasen keeping up the pressure at the top with a 5 pointer.

The game we got wrong was the Matlock v Newark game and we were both undecided on this one prior to the game, both going for Matlock. Newark will be glad to get back to winning ways winning 31-29 after a poor run. 2 bonus points for Matlock though.

The game we differed on was Long Eaton v Dronfield. Again we were both unsure and Matt opted for Dronfield, Pete for Long Eaton. Long Eaton prevailed 22-14 to continue their good run after a shaky start.

This means Pete is now 4 up.

Melbourne are 5 points clear of Market Rasen on 35 points at the top. Then comes a 7 point gap to Matlock. Then there are 8 teams within 6 points of each other and 7 of these teams have 4 wins apiece. It seems that mid table anyone can beat anyone else on their day. Bonus points could make a difference at the end of the season. Ashby are a little adrift, with Southwell rock bottom and 10 points adrift of Ashby.

Week off next week. Preview week 9 on the 30th. 3 more games before the Christmas break with Melbourne at Newark, hosting Ashbourne and then the short trip to Ashby,