Alnwick vs Sandal
Tight loss for Alnwick last week and Sandal with back to back away games are up against it. Can only see a home win here.
Alnwick Win
Blaydon vs Ilkley
This game should tell us Ilkleys true credentials (certainly after last weeks win the look a serious threat)
Blaydon again looking to be a different beast at home on the plastic, but if one backline in this league will benefit from a plastic pitch it's got to be Ilkley.
Leagues top try scorer missing, so Ilkley to continue the winning ways
Ilkley Win
Cleckheaton vs Heath
Cleck did look physical last week, and it was nearly enough to get the job done against the Woldsmen. However can't see the physicality being enough this week.
Heath Win
Middlesbrough vs Kendal
2 teams with much needed results last weekend, and both will be looking to continue this week.
Home advantage probably the deciding factor.
Middlesbrough Win
Penrith vs York
Penrith will be looking to bounce back after the disappointment of last weekend. York have unsuccessfully been looking to bounce back since week 1. Both the Selby signings missing?
Penrith Win
Harrogate vs Driffield
I'm sure Harrogate will be looking forward to welcoming the Woldsmen this weekend. The last time Harrogate were in R1 they played 2 games at Kelleythorpe due to the pitch issues.
Driffield need to build a performance here to get a result, and I back them to do so.
Driffield Win
Alnwick v Sandal. Surely Alnwick winning at home.
Blaydon v Ilkley. I consider the Ilkley back machine will continue to do the business. Away win.
Cleckheaton v Heath. Having seen Cleck last week, expect this to be close, but Heath to snatch it.
Middlesbrough v Kendal. I really haven't a clue with this one, so home win.
Penrith v York. I keep thinking York must start soon, but they dont! Home win.
Harrogate v Driffield. No rain recently, so that helps Driff on this pitch. Gate pack usually big and therefore Driff will be up against it with their lightweight, young team. I would love an away win!
Alnwick v Sandal - Alnwick win
Blaydon v Ilkley - Ilkley win
Cleckheaton v Heath - Heath win
Middlesbrough v Kendal - Middlesbrough win
Penrith v York - Penrith win
Harrogate v Driffield - Driffield win
Alnwick v Sandal - got to be the Northumbrians for this, despite Sandal's recent improvement.
Blaydon v Ilkley - the Dalesmen's season gets increasingly tougher, but I think they will edge this.
Cleckheaton v Heath - have to go on form here, so it's the 'alifax 'eavies.
Harrogate v Driffield - I'm afraid I think 'gate will win this comfortably.
Middlesbrough v Kendal - home win. Maybe.
Penrith v York - feel a little more confident that this will also be a home win.
Alnwick v Sandal
Alwnick to win the early arm wrestle and score plenty of trys after about 20 minutes.
Alnwick
Blaydon v Ilkley
Think this will be a close game and could see Ilkley being given their first loss of the season. Think it would've been a certainty if Blaydon were at full strength.
Blaydon just.
Cleckheaton v Heath
Heath by a lot. Cleck will have no answer for Heath. Maybe a couple of consolation trys later on. Expect over 50 points for Heath here.
Heath
Harrogate v Driffield
Harrogate seem to be edging some close games, but would love for this to change today.
Driffield
Middlesbrough v Kendal
Middlesbrough seem to be finding their feet. So I'll go for them at home.
Middlesbrough
Penrith v York - Penrith on the plastic to make York 6 from 6 and in serious trouble if they don't get anything from the game.
Penrith
Harrogate were the best side I've seen this season, but certainly beatable. Well organised and structured, clearly well coached and a group of played used to playing a higher standard.
Driffield put in a much better performance then last weeks win, but the penalty count was far to high and Harrogate punished it.
Thought Harrogates back row were outstanding and the centres (including the rugby league replacement) were very good. They will be up there at the end of the season that's for sure.
Tough to not get the bonus point at the end for the Woldsmen, but some really positive signs of development which I think this young squad will focus on rather than the result.
I enjoyed watching Penrith v York.
My first visit to Penrith.
York played very well and were unlucky not to win. They didn't seem to get the rub of the green from the ref.
Penrith had some powerful players.
Think that was a clean sweep for me.
Didn't think York would push Penrith so close
I didn't see Blaydon getting 5 points and leaving Ilkley with no points. Seems Magee didn't play either which will not have helped!
Heath seem to be the team to beat and by what the driff lads are saying Harrogate are growing in confidence.
Interested to see Penrith vs Blaydon in the coming weeks! Battle of the plastic.
Bottom teams... Cleckheaton, York and Sandal. Didn't see York being down there
Gate had Dobson & Nuu available for the first time this season to add some extra fire power to the backline. Dobson was outstanding last year in a relegated side and is really a star player.
Will be a massive game next week as Harrogate travel to unbeaten league leaders and free scoring Heath. Last time Gate were in this league they lost and drew against Heath, so will be looking to get the result for once...
God result for Blaydon even without Farani playing who has been great this year
York in the bottom three, didn't see that coming as they still have some very solid players on the team sheet - Scholey, Atkin, Fothergill etc
Didn't see the match, being in the Far East ( not Bridlington ) but listened to the commentary on Drystone Radio. Seems Ilkley were indeed missing Magee with a 'late fitness test' failure, but my take was they were out-muscled in the forwards.
Four tries to one and dropping from one to fourth as a result.
Cleck next week and they seem to be improving.