With 6 games left to play we are really at the business end of the season and with Scabs 12 points clear at the top and Donny P now mathematically relegated, it's fair to assume those will be the two automatic results- I'm sure BRB will dispute this until they are comfortably in R1. However, the beauty of this league is that all other 10 teams still have something to fight for.
Promotion Play-offs:
I think Pock and Morley are pretty much guaranteed to finish in these spots, however the battle for 4th and 5th looks to be very exciting. From my point of view i think there are 4 teams in contention for these spots:
Brods - As usual Brods started the season excellently however, seem to be slightly hit or miss since December. I think they may have lost their 10 due to injury around this time but could be wrong.
Selby - Selby's backline are exceptional and with pitches drying up this will likely suit their style.
Town - Seem to be getting better as the season goes on after a poor start. Town when they click are the most exciting team in the league but always seem to have 20 minute periods where they slip in concentration. If they can cut this out and carry on to see through results they will be there or there abouts come the end of the season.
Salem - Salem's season crumbled at the end of last season after the money men returned to rugby league. However, if they retain them they are definitely capable of making the top 5. On the contrary they aren't safe from the relegation play offs either- especially if they follow the same trajectory they did in previous seasons.
I'm going with it to finish:
2. Pock
3. Morley
4. Selby
5. Town
Morley to go up.
Relegation Playoffs:
Looking at the table i think the teams in danger of being in the relegation shoot out are:
Crocs - They have the advantage of the postage stamp, probably the trickiest place in the league to go and the crowd can unsettle any team.
Wetherby - I watched Wetherby at Far moss and they looked lost at times - despite a couple of breaks from their winger they offered very little in attack and their pack seems to struggle in faster paced games, which the end of the season tends to bring.
Ponte - The Orcs will be hoping they can turn their season around however, i think it may be too late.
I'm going for Wetherby and Ponte to finish in the danger zone. I think Ponte will have enough grit in a one off game to avoid the drop. So Wetherby to join Donny in Y1 next season
Regarding the promotion playoffs and 1st spot, I think the next two weeks will decide a lot. Scarborough have Selby and then Brods at home for the following two weeks. If both are lost then top spot is all to play for. If both are won, I'm happy to say we should be favorites then.
As for the play offs 2nd and 3rd will come from the current top three i think.
As for the bottom play offs I actually disagree. I think Malton are in big trouble (although I don't think they will go down). Their fixtures are:
Old Brods (A)
Moortown (A)
Morley (H)
Old Crocs (A)
Pock (H)
Selby (A)
I wouldn't fancy that run.
Four away matches and two home. Not one of those matches are easy. If they don't end up in the relegation playoffs they will have done very well.
Looking further ahead, the play-off winner from our league then takes on the equivalent from Regional 2 North - and in that division Northern look home and hosed on 71 points, followed by Consett on 59, Percy Park 50 and West Hartlepool 48. If Consett qualify from that play-off they are currently best placed to be at home in the R2N v R2NE shoot out.
It's a long road to promotion via the playoffs!
Can't wait for the play-offs, I've already packed my bag. If results stay consistent then by my reckoning Pock could be away to either Consett or West Bridgford, Notts, in round 3 then go to Penrith in round 4. Just like old times - a round Britain end-of-season tour, happy days!
The play offs are going to be a lottery. Injuries and player unavailability will come into play, along with good and bad luck. Get all the way to the final play off game against the club from the league above and you may not have a full strength team. I think many players will be happy for the season to end on the 6th April. Then there is the question of a clubs appetite to gain promotion. Will that bring the papa john effect into play with walk overs ? Maybe in the none too distant future, the RFU will see sense and revert to 14 team leagues and stop all this convoluted nonsense.
Quote from: wing three quarter on Mar 14, 2026, 09:48 AMThe play offs are going to be a lottery. Injuries and player unavailability will come into play, along with good and bad luck. Get all the way to the final play off game against the club from the league above and you may not have a full strength team. I think many players will be happy for the season to end on the 6th April. Then there is the question of a clubs appetite to gain promotion. Will that bring the papa john effect into play with walk overs ? Maybe in the none too distant future, the RFU will see sense and revert to 14 team leagues and stop all this convoluted nonsense.
I think the clubs will prefer season end on 11th April.
The RFU are expect quite a few walkovers in the play offs. There was little to no buy in from clubs. It was foisted on to them by the two people at the top of the competitions Committee.
With regard to 14 team leagues, i'm told that is likely to be coming - at County leagues, leaving the two Regional teams stuck at 12.
The only winners, financially out of the current set up are the clubs in the National leagues. They get extra supporters from clubs having yet another free week.
Looking at you Otley.
Quote from: avinastella on Mar 14, 2026, 10:39 AMQuote from: wing three quarter on Mar 14, 2026, 09:48 AMThe play offs are going to be a lottery. Injuries and player unavailability will come into play, along with good and bad luck. Get all the way to the final play off game against the club from the league above and you may not have a full strength team. I think many players will be happy for the season to end on the 6th April. Then there is the question of a clubs appetite to gain promotion. Will that bring the papa john effect into play with walk overs ? Maybe in the none too distant future, the RFU will see sense and revert to 14 team leagues and stop all this convoluted nonsense.
I think the clubs will prefer season end on 11th April.
The RFU are expect quite a few walkovers in the play offs. There was little to no buy in from clubs. It was foisted on to them by the two people at the top of the competitions Committee.
With regard to 14 team leagues, i'm told that is likely to be coming - at County leagues, leaving the two Regional teams stuck at 12.
The only winners, financially out of the current set up are the clubs in the National leagues. They get extra supporters from clubs having yet another free week.
Looking at you Otley.
Coming this season or next?
Hear, hear !
Quote from: wing three quarter on Mar 14, 2026, 09:48 AMThe play offs are going to be a lottery. Injuries and player unavailability will come into play, along with good and bad luck. Get all the way to the final play off game against the club from the league above and you may not have a full strength team. I think many players will be happy for the season to end on the 6th April. Then there is the question of a clubs appetite to gain promotion. Will that bring the papa john effect into play with walk overs ? Maybe in the none too distant future, the RFU will see sense and revert to 14 team leagues and stop all this convoluted nonsense.
Quote from: gateprop on Mar 14, 2026, 10:47 AMComing this season or next?
Not sure, it was raised at the meeting in Ripon on Wednesday, the one Julian attended.