Pre Christmas matches
Alnwick v Cleckheaton.Must be a home win, as Alnwick seem to be playing very well.
Blaydon v Harrogate. After last week's result, Harrogate must be favourites even away and on the plastic.
Kendal v York. I keep expecting York to turn their season round and this could be the week. An away win could just get them going for 2026.
Middlesbrough v Heath. Boro have some quick backs, but I cannot see Heath machine slipping up on their way to promotion. Their only worry is Harrogate who are on their heels.
Sandal v Ilkley. I anticipate another Ilkley win, unless the weather turns to stop their backs performing.
Penrith v Driffield. Two things at stake here. Can Driff get a decent side out to travel this distance just before the festivities and Penrith's proper reaction to last week's hammering at Harrogate. If the answers are yes,should be a good game on the plastic and hopefully a Driff win.
You would think the authorities for the pre Christmas fixtures, would have arranged closer fixtures. For instance ideal ones would have been Kendal v Penrith and York v Driffield. With the variable weather at this time of year, shorter travels would have been preferable!
Quote from: Kellythorpe on Dec 18, 2025, 11:11 AMYou would think the authorities for the pre Christmas fixtures, would have arranged closer fixtures. For instance ideal ones would have been Kendal v Penrith and York v Driffield. With the variable weather at this time of year, shorter travels would have been preferable!
They do this weekend as 'rivals round' in Nat 2 so why not other leagues?
Harrogate v Ilkley
Penrith v Kendal
Blaydon v Alnwick
Heath v Cleckheaton
Driffield v York
Sandal v Middlesbrough (odd ones out, have a whip round for a bus trip)
Alnwick v Cleckheaton. Difficult to see Cleck getting a result here, Alnwick have been impressive this season so far. Alnwick win
Blaydon v Harrogate. A tough matchup, Blaydon always a different beast on the 4G, but I can see Harrogate putting in a comprehensive victory. Harrogate win.
Kendal v York. Yorks form has improved, albeit to no avail so far! A long bus trip will see Kendal take advantage. Kendal win.
Middlesbrough v Heath. Again, can't see Heath losing to anyone particularly. Heath win.
Sandal v Ilkley. I understand Ilkley aren't full strength at the moment. If the weather can disrupt the Ilkley backs I'm predicting an upset. Sandal win.
Penrith v Driffield. Penrith look to be in freefall! You'd hope for a reaction after last week, but can't see them toppling Driffield, even with a long bus journey. Driffield win.
Lets hope for some entertaining rugby to see us in to Christmas and the New Year!
Alnwick vs Cleckheaton
Alnwick at home are a difficult side for anyone to beat, and a struggling Cleck won't be excited for this one.
Big Alnwick Win
Blaydon vs Harrogate
Full strength Blaydon will put plenty of scores by Harrogate, if Harrogate can control the lineout and driving maul they will make it tight.
Blaydon Win
Kendal vs York
York appear to have a few of the names back from last season, but with current league position and the long trip to Kendal are they going to be bothered to travel?
Kendal Win and York are going to be left requiring 6 wins from the final 9 games to survive I think.
Middlesbrough vs Heath
If Heath take this one for granted then it could spell trouble. Middlesbrough have a very good defensive lineout, but think that's the only area they might cause Heath issues.
Heath Win
Sandal vs Ilkley
Full strength Ilkley will win this, if they aren't at full strength then I fancy a battling Sandal to cause some issues, but probably not enough.
Ilkley Win
Penrith vs Driffield
Driffield will be wanting to right the wrongs of the home loss earlier in the season. A result they will no doubt be looking back on now as a missed opportunity.
Driffield Win
Alnwick v Cleckheaton - can't see Cleck getting anything from this. Comfortable 5 pointer for Alnwick.
Blaydon v Harrogate - at home on the plastic, I quite fancy Blaydon to upset 'gate. Hope so anyway.
Kendal v York - struggling York struggle even more away. Close, but a home win.
Middlesbrough v Heath - not the easiest of journeys for Heath, but I can't see them slipping up here.
Penrith v Driffield - another long trip for the Woldsmen. Too close to call, but a narrow home win most likely.
Sandal v Ilkley - the Dalesmen still four short of full strength and they do not like going to Sandal. Having said that, I think they will just have enough.
Alnwick v Cleckheaton - Alnwick win
Blaydon v Harrogate - Blaydon win
Kendal v York - Kendal win
Middlesbrough v Heath - Heath win
Penrith v Driffield - Driffield win
Sandal v Ilkley - Sandal win
Good trip to Cumbria for the Woldsmen, managing to cling on for a narrow victory by the skin of their teeth.
A physical game against a Penrith side which featured "5 players returning from injury" according to the programme.
Driffield pulled out to 19-31 lead and Penrith looked to be down and out, but the big ball carriers kept coming, and pulled it back to 24-31. 2 yellow cards for Driffield and a try for Penrith left a very tense last 5 minutes.
Penalty to win the game went across the front of the posts and Driffield will feel relieved to get the victory
As I wrote above, the Dalesmen don't like going to Sandal ! An exciting game, with the visitors scoring first, but with Ilkley giving away so many penalties, it was not surprising that it was 14-7 at half time. Three tries apiece in the second half, Ilkley's last in the 80th minute, so a very useful five pointer for the Wakey lads and a solitary try bonus point for Ilkley.