Getting to the squeaky bum end of the season and at the top it's neck and neck for the top spot with the game in hand giving the advantage to Ilkley but I'm sure Driffield will tell them it's no gimme and I'm sure it will go down to the wire. The third spot is just as competitive with Heath, with a game in hand, 2 points behind Cleck with the big game here to come in a fortnights time when Cleck travel the short distance to West Vale which could well be the 3rd place decider. Until then this weekend's games will help provide some more guidance to the final positions. Here's my view.
B&B v Heath
Heath certainly won't be taking their foot off the accelerator so another hefty defeat is on the cards for the Bees.
Consett v Old Brods
Apart from the score line overall Brods were arguably the better side against Heath last week and a similar performance from them against Consett should be good enough to come away with the spoils.
Durham v Morpeth
Another of the many potentially intriguing local Derbies we've had this season in this league and with Durham winning their local Derby against Consett last week they will be up for making it two wins in a row. With just the one loss at Ilkley in their last 5 games Morpeth are still riding high and I take them to be too strong for a Durham side who will never the less run them close.
M & N v Ilkley
The Malton pitch can be a bit of a leveler and probably won't be conducive to Ilkley's type of play, but having said that with the incentive of winning the league Ilkley will come out with all guns blazing and should be too good for the home side.
Morley v Driffield
It's been a funny season for Morley with a number of up and down performances so I'm not sure which Morley team will turn up, however, I can't see even their best efforts being good enough to overcome what all seem to agree is a very good Driffield outfit.
Pocklington v Moortown
I really don't know which way to lean in this match. Pock keep putting in some really good performances only to intersperse them with some mediocre efforts. Meanwhile Moortown have shown they have a good young team in the making and on their day can produce some nice rugby. Having beaten Cleckheaton last week I'm going to take Pock to carry on the good work and win but only by a narrow margin.
Scarborough v Cleckheaton
It is commendable and brave of Scarborough to give chances to some of their younger players who will no doubt take away some great experiences from playing at this level and it will certainly benefit the club in the long term. However, if they do that against Cleckheaton I think they'll be on a hiding to nothing as last weeks result at Ilkley showed. I take Cleck to win no matter which team Scabs put out, but a strong Scabs team will help to make the game more competitive.
