With the Yorkshire Silver trophy this year being reminiscent of the Super League play off finals with the semis being 1st v 4th and 2nd V 3rd wondered what peoples thoughts were on the outcome ahead of these games a week on Saturday.
Just for fun ive put my thoughts up alongside some fictitious betting odds to get the ball rolling.
Wetherby - 5 to 13 Fav - A team that can go unbeaten in the league all year has to start as the bookies favorite but with the recent draw to Goole, close game with Thorne and upset in the National Trophy the cup is very much all to play for. An away game semi final at Northallerton is always going to be a tough hurdle to jump before they can even think of becoming the first team to retain the Silver Trophy in consecutive years.
Thornensians - 4 to 6 - Cracking form especially in the second part of the season with only a close loss to leaders Wetherby blotting their results. They will be as keen as mustard to claim some silver ware and may well on recent form be many peoples favorites to lift the trophy.
Goole - 2 to 1 - Not a side to write off lightly with close games against the top two this season. With an improving set piece to bolster the impressive back line and the weather possible swinging more to their liking they are certainly in with a shout. Could potentially line up the most exciting expansive final in Silver Trophy history if Goole and Wetherby make it to the final to see arguable the divisions two best back lines face up against each other in some early summer sunshine to give any neutral supporters a veritable feast of action packed wide running rugby.
Northallerton - 6 to 1 - A big ask for Norths to win the trophy this year with them needing to overcome Wetherby in the semi and then beat the winners of Thorne/Goole in the final. On their day when they are at full strength they are as strong a team as you will find in the division and what they may lack in breadth and speed of play out wide they more than make up for in old fashioned grunt up the middle. Good bet for the Value seekers in the market as recent games between them and visitors Wetherby have been closely fought affairs and a win in this semi will overflow their sails with confidence to take into the final.