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The Final Weekend

This is a discussion for the topic The Final Weekend on the board Regional One (North East).
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Differ Lid

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The Final Weekend
on: April 03, 2024, 10:47:57 AM
So final league games of the season, it’s been a fantastic season with the league incredibly tight throughout the campaign.

With a lot of games that are only serving as a final blow out, or warmup games for the cup I think predictions could be off for most this week, but home advantage to be the key in those fixtures

Pontefract vs Blaydon
Pontefract have been a great addition to the league, and excluding the 2 results against York have been competitive throughout. Wish them well next season
Ponte will be looking to finish the season on a high, and Blaydon will be happy to see the end of it. Home Win

Sandal vs Doncaster
Doncaster will be playing for survival and hoping to get the “rfu can’t get anything right” place to stay at this level. Sandal have had some fantastic results since Christmas and certainly a side worthy of finishing higher than 8th. Sandal Win, but BP for Donny which might be enough

Scunthorpe vs Cleckheaton
Nothing much to play for. Home advantage, Scunthorpe Win

York vs Alnwick
The nearly men will be desperate for the league to finish and rebuild for next season. Alnwick will be excited for yet another long bus trip. York win, but don’t think it will be a spectacle.

Ilkley vs Heath
It will be a tough ask for Ilkley to beat a Heath side who have pulled out a Putin style War Chest over the last 2 season with more than just level 5 survival eyed up. If the 18 “player coaches” are going to justify the salary then this is the weekend to do it. Heath Win

Harrogate vs Driffield
Home advantage could well be the key in this fixture, but which side will be at home? Will a Friday night change of venue be proposed?
I think one thing is for sure, the rain we have had and is due isn’t going to increase the chances of the 1st team pitch at the Apollo Captial “Stadium” to be playable this weekend.
Moving an aspiring National 2 team to play on the back pitches, or asking a lower level club with better facilities to borrow a pitch again will certainly be embarrassing for the promotion match. 
Maybe keep the Champaign in a travel box rather than in the fridge at Mudding Lane.
If played at Mudding Lane - Harrogate Win
Only other venue acceptable Kelleythorpe - Driffield Win

Let’s see if the quality of the Harrogates first team pitch will cost them promotion! Heath could do with taking training to Harrogate on Thursday night, see if they can use the back pitches as a turning circle for the team bus.
« Last Edit: April 03, 2024, 11:55:16 AM by Differ Lid »
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BishBashBosh

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #1 on: April 03, 2024, 10:27:26 PM
Rained all week in Harrogate, so who knows what it'll be like come Saturday - muddy would be the expectation

It's season 8 or 9 since the move to Rudding and only three of those have not been in Nat 2, so the pitch previous to this season has held up pretty well during the National 2 campaigns. A super wet Winter that has continued throughout the Spring has given the pitch no time to recover - I'm sure more drainage will be added in the Summer, but will it help? I'm not too sure if we have the same amount of rain next season.

Anyway, it should be a cracker of a game on Saturday wherever it's being played.
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RuckingRugby

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #2 on: April 04, 2024, 09:58:42 AM
This weekend I’ll be attending the Harrodsgate vs Duffield match, not as a spectator but as a busker, trying my luck to earn a few of these red fifty’s, just like the players.

We all know it all comes down to this weekend. Battle of the payrolls once again. On one hand, you have Harrogate, who have spent a fortune trying desperately to get to National 2. And on the other hand you have Heath, who have spent a fortune desperately trying to get to National 2, and on the third hand (that's people from Duffield) you have Duffield, who have spent a fortune desperately trying to get to National 2.

I see only a victory here for the Royal Mint. Instead of paying over the odds for average players, who have hustled their way to promotion chances, maybe Harroldsgate should have spent some money on drainage plans.

I can only imagine their groundsman who won an award for maintenance, was the only person nominated at all for the prize.

Anyway, back to the job at hand. I'm going with a Duffield win, and Heath to get promoted. All other matches are irrelevant to me this weekend.
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Pristine Shorts

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #3 on: April 04, 2024, 12:04:33 PM
An interesting final week for sure. Looking at the table, I just wondered how it would look of all the bonus points were removed. Spookily, there would be no change at all !

Driffield would still be above Alnwick, but on points difference and the same for Ilkley vis a vis Cleckheaton.

On to the forecasts…

The two big matches are of course Harrogate v Driffield and Ilkley v Heath. I saw both games against ‘gate and Ilkley won the away one. Similarly, I’ve seen both the Driffield games and Ilkley were well beaten on both occasions. If it’s not played at Harrogate, then I’m going for a Driff win, so long as they aren’t resting players for t’Cup. If it’s actually played at home, then I think it will be a close home win.

It seems ages since we got a bit of drubbing in Halifax and I can understand how just about everyone is forecasting a Heath win. I’m just hoping we can pick up a point or two and that Scunthorpe beat Cleck - don’t want to finish third from bottom ! So…

Driffield
Ilkley ( never bet against my own team )
Blaydon
Sandal
Scunthorpe
York


 
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Oldandslow

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #4 on: April 04, 2024, 01:24:59 PM
Ilkley v Heath – Heath to keep up the pressure on Harrogate with a win.

Pontefract v Blaydon – Pontefract already relegated, and their small squad decimated by injury will be playing for pride. I can’t see Blaydon safe in mid table courtesy of their plastic pitch being too interested. Ponte to bow out on a high note with a victory.

Sandal v Donny Phoenix – With Phoenix currently in pole position to get the reprieve slot I’m taking them to win.

Scunthorpe v Cleckheaton – Home win for Scunthorpe.

York v Alnwick – York to end a great season with a comfortable home win.

Harrogate v Driffield – With rain forecast this week be playable will the swamp be playable; I don’t think so. But I expect Harrogate will do everything they can to play at home not least so they can host yet another overpriced pre match lunch. Harrogate to win just.
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ponte animal

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #5 on: April 04, 2024, 02:28:40 PM
We at Ponte have enjoyed our season, even though our squad depth has been shown up to be lacking. Hopefully we can keep the squad together, give NE2 a good go next year and at some stage give this league another go.

Ilkley v Heath – I can't see Heath slipping up here, far too much up front in the mud.

Pontefract v Blaydon – Pontefract only have pride to play for but a very youthful backline could get exposed. If Blaydon don't show due respect though a home win is a possibility. Home win just.

Sandal v Donny Phoenix – Home win

Scunthorpe v Cleckheaton – Home win.

York v Alnwick – Home win, just.

Harrogate v Driffield - Taking Gate to do the business against a team unlikely to change their playing method to suit the conditions.
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gateprop

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #6 on: April 05, 2024, 12:17:47 PM
Harrogate have said they have a 'local back up plan'. Given the rain we've had in Harrogate this week I can't see the pitches being playable at Rudding so be interested to see where they go. Yarnbury have a home game this week so won't be there again and the only other local club I can see without home fixtures is Knaresborough.
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Differ Lid

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #7 on: April 05, 2024, 12:59:42 PM
Quote from: gateprop on April 05, 2024, 12:17:47 PM
Harrogate have said they have a 'local back up plan'. Given the rain we've had in Harrogate this week I can't see the pitches being playable at Rudding so be interested to see where they go. Yarnbury have a home game this week so won't be there again and the only other local club I can see without home fixtures is Knaresborough.

Knaresborough at 3pm or Yarnbury at 5pm have been suggested I believe.
So no doubt Knaresborough will be favoured.
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Dark Arts Advocate

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #8 on: April 05, 2024, 01:36:10 PM
Shame really that the league deciders could be compromised by the PJC.
I’d like to think Driffield would go full strength at Harrogate, because that could be MOTD.
But I think Driff will rest a few.
So comfortable home win for Harrogate and promotion.

Ilkley have had a pretty poor season and will be satisfied with survival in this league. The Heath semi-pros have no choice other than giving their all. An easy away win. But probably no promotion and a lot of someone’s money down the drain. I wonder if they will learn from this season? Or will they try and match Ionions big spending next season?

York have a packed out pre match lunch tomorrow. With a couple of returnees from their injuries list to the match day squad they should be as well placed as ever to beat Alnwick. So a home win with some sparkling rugby would be very welcome.

Ponte v Blaydon
Not sure if Blaydon has won any game on the road this season?
I envisage Ponte will want to finish with a flourish, so home win.

Sandal v Donny who cares? But a home win.

Scunny v Cleck also who cares?
But if Cleck can be bothered? Narrow away win. If not home win.
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Pristine Shorts

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #9 on: April 05, 2024, 03:02:50 PM
Quote from: Dark Arts Advocate on April 05, 2024, 01:36:10 PM
Shame really that the league deciders could be compromised by the PJC.
I’d like to think Driffield would go full strength at Harrogate, because that could be MOTD.
But I think Driff will rest a few.
So comfortable home win for Harrogate and promotion.

Ilkley have had a pretty poor season and will be satisfied with survival in this league. The Heath semi-pros have no choice other than giving their all. An easy away win. But probably no promotion and a lot of someone’s money down the drain. I wonder if they will learn from this season? Or will they try and match Ionions big spending next season?

York have a packed out pre match lunch tomorrow. With a couple of returnees from their injuries list to the match day squad they should be as well placed as ever to beat Alnwick. So a home win with some sparkling rugby would be very welcome.

Ponte v Blaydon
Not sure if Blaydon has won any game on the road this season?
I envisage Ponte will want to finish with a flourish, so home win.

Sandal v Donny who cares? But a home win.

Scunny v Cleck also who cares?
But if Cleck can be bothered? Narrow away win. If not home win.

I suspect the match will have to be played elsewhere, as it’s been pretty wet over this side of the great county. I also suspect that Driff will rest a few, so I’m going for a Harrogate win now.

Ilkley’s season has sadly gone downhill since we lost four centres in the space of two weeks, blunting our sharpest form of attack. We have also struggled against heavier packs and every other team in the league seems to have one ! Still managed a few losing bonus points through…if only those kicks had gone over.

Enjoyed going over to Ponte again and I’m sorry they’re going : all the best for a swift return.

We have two senior players retiring after tomorrow’s game, so there will be a bit of a party atmosphere down at Stacks Field, especially if we get one over Heath ! Well, you never know.

Enjoy the big lunch at York - you can walk it off going over to the pitch !
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avinastella

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #10 on: April 05, 2024, 03:07:46 PM
Assuming the same 'rules' apply to Regional 1 as they do to R2NE and Yorks 1. They had until 3pm to inform the league secretary of where the game will be played. After that, RFUNorth will decide.

Now looks like it's at Knaresborough.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2024, 05:50:07 PM by avinastella »
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Differ Lid

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #11 on: April 05, 2024, 06:45:11 PM
Pitch inspection at knaresborough at 8.30!
Not sure of the quality of knaresboroughs pitch, but needing a pitch inspection must mean a chance of it not being playable there either.
 
If not playable then things start to look a little bleak for the sponsorship dinner.

What a way to end a league campaign for the potential champions.
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gateprop

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #12 on: April 05, 2024, 07:20:16 PM
Quote from: Differ Lid on April 05, 2024, 06:45:11 PM
Pitch inspection at knaresborough at 8.30!
Not sure of the quality of knaresboroughs pitch, but needing a pitch inspection must mean a chance of it not being playable there either.
 
If not playable then things start to look a little bleak for the sponsorship dinner.

What a way to end a league campaign for the potential champions.

Knaresborough's pitch was played on last week and looked in good conditions from the photos I saw. Lot's of rain this week with more forecast overnight, I would be confident of the game going ahead at Knaresborough though.
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RuckingRugby

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #13 on: April 05, 2024, 08:39:23 PM
Scarboroughs Shambles are at it again. I wonder if the luncheteers will have to pay an extortionate amount too for the privilege of going to a superior Yorkshire 4 club?

Maybe they should do themselves a favour and give Driffield the win, seen as though they can't field a decent enough playing surface, for the umpteenth time this year.
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Differ Lid

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Re: The Final Weekend
Reply #14 on: April 05, 2024, 09:03:01 PM
Quote from: RuckingRugby on April 05, 2024, 08:39:23 PM
Scarboroughs Shambles are at it again. I wonder if the luncheteers will have to pay an extortionate amount too for the privilege of going to a superior Yorkshire 4 club?

Maybe they should do themselves a favour and give Driffield the win, seen as though they can't field a decent enough playing surface, for the umpteenth time this year.

You spelt Duffield wrong?
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