Nottingham v Bedford Blues Venue: Lady Bay Sportsground Kick-off: Sunday 23rd May, 15:00 Concluding the weekend’s action is a ding-dong between second and third bottom which can propel the potential victor away from the foot of the table. Nottingham finally secured a long overdue win last time out against Richmond to end what had been a testing sequence of losses stretching throughout the season and in fact, back to February 2020.
The Reds have had the best of it winning three of the last four, with the most recent encounter ending in a 10-9 victory for the Channel Island side. You’d have to be brave to confidently predict much in this league, but you can certainly expect fans to get their money’s worth as per usual. Ealing Trailfinders v Doncaster Knights Venue: Trailfinders Sportsground Kick-off: Saturday 22nd May, 15:00 This one needs no introduction… but I’ll give it one anyway. First plays third as two of the play-off contenders go head-to-head for what should be an absolute barnstormer in London.
Sarries finally moved into the top two after winning against Ampthill on Monday night, meaning this provides an opportunity to guarantee a play-off space despite the short turnaround, with the other two teams in the top three facing off against one another. As they all are, this one should be a belter. Ampthill v Richmond Venue: Dillingham Park Kick-off: Sunday 23rd May, 13:00 Onwards to Sunday and we begin with what should be another fascinating fixture. Ampthill are currently positioned in sixth, which is likely to be the highest place they will be able to finish, but that would provide another really positive season in the second tier.
On the other hand, Richmond are sat at the foot of the table and whilst relegation is of course on hold for a year, they will not want to finish bottom on their return from National One. — Ampthill Rugby (@AmpthillRufc) May 21, 2021 Ampthill have been in topsy turvy form of late, managing two tight wins before suffering a pair of comfortable defeats in fitting with the tumultuous nature of the league. Their visitors have suffered five losses on the bounce without picking up so much as a losing bonus point. Their closest margin in this run has been 17 against Nottingham last week, whilst they have scored just 11 tries and 94 points in the season so far. This will be a first-ever Championship clash between the last two National One champions and as with all the other teams, a final flourish would be welcomed ahead of what should be a much fuller season next time out.
Saracens, meanwhile, are on the whitest of hot streaks. Seven successive bonus-point wins has made it more and more of a procession back towards the top tier with each passing week. Sadly for the league as a whole, this will prove to be the only regular away game that Sarries will face with fans this season, though that should make it even more of a spectacle. Cov expect a reduced capacity of up to 1, 400 through the gates, which they hope will buoy them to what would be a shock result in the last action at this venue until next season.
They had their 100 per cent records ended at the hands of Sarries, but they responded with back-to-back maximum hauls heading into this showdown. History certainly favours the hosts, with the Trailfinders winning six of the last seven between the sides and the Knights yet to record a Championship victory down at Ealing. But it is only history. This one will shape the near future and a shot at the top-flight. Coventry v Saracens Venue: Butts Park Arena Kick-off: Saturday 22nd May, 17:00 The final game of Saturday’s trio of offerings sees Saracens rock up at Butts Park for what should be another fine occasion as two of the league’s form teams do battle. Cov have won four of their last five, with their only slip up in that run coming against Cornish Pirates who they will hope to overhaul if they are to finish fourth this season.
Greene King IPA Championship confirms match live Watch live stream coverage of Ealing Trailfinders against Richmond as they look to secure the 2021/22 Championship