Nick Trower in action during the vital victory over current National II South leaders Ealing earlier in the season

FIVE teams head into 2011 with dreams of lifting the RFU’s National II South title, with Ealing leading the way, five points ahead of Ben Harvey’s Jersey outfit.

The west London side have only lost once this term – to promoted Jersey, who beat them 32-18 at St Peter on 23 October. The return game at Vallis Way on 19 February is certainly one for the diary.

However, in-form Richmond are certainly ones to watch. The former Premiership outfit were due to entertain Ealing last week until the freezing weather conditions put paid to the entire fixture list.

Richmond suffered three straight losses at the start of the campaign, but new coach Steve Hill has stamped his mark on the squad and they have since won 11 games on the bounce – inflicting Jersey’s first defeat for over a year – and are currently just one point behind the Islanders in third place.

• See today’s JEP for the full report and table as it currently stands