Interesting to see North Rugby's NE Team of the Year for the Big Game in June. I believe it is voted by the clubs in the league.
If you haven't seen it, the team is as follows:
1. Chris Moore - Heath
2. Duncan Smith - Alnwick
3. Richie Elliot - Alnwick
4. James Bird - Alnwick
5. Sam Brady - Harrogate
6. Yaree Fantini - Blaydon
7. Will Henshall - Sandal
8. Ollie Hodgson - Middlesborough
9. James Blackett - Alnwick
10. Charles Morgan - Ilkley
11. Jake Haynes - Heath
12. Ezra Hinchcliffe - Heath
13. Kris Dobson - Harrogate
14. Harry Harrison
15. Ben Magee - Ilkley
16. Dom Dalby - Harrogate
17. Michael Van Vuren - Alnwick
18. Jake Brady - Harrogate
19. Toby Aitkin - York
20. Callum Harriot-Brown - Heath
21. Amrit Sharma - Harrogate
From looking at the team I find it difficult to believe that Heath only have four players in the side having a near perfect season. Also it seems players have been selected in positions they have not played a great deal of this year. A few noticeable absentees in my opinon:
Chris Johnson 10- Heath - can only think he must be coaching the side?!
Harvey Keighley-Payne 7 - Heath - a standout player and ever present for Heath
Tom Clough 8 - Heath - an absolute monster in the forwards and nearly unplayable.
Eoin Harrison 3- Harrogate - good player for Harrogate and leads their strong scrum.
Kodie Brook 12- Harrogate - a big player for Harrogates backs
Jack Hamilton 5- Ilkley - a real standout in a small Ilkley pack, brings much needed size and power
Interested to see everyone else's thoughts?
My personal view is there are some questionable decisions in that selection also, but nonetheless, congratulations to all selected.
For a bit of fun, my selection would be:
1. Richie Elliot - Alnwick
2. Duncan Smith - Alnwick
3. Will Scholey - York
4. James Bird - Alnwick
5. Alex Patrick - Heath
6. Yaree Fantini - Blaydon
7. Will Henshall - Sandal
8. Ollie Hodgson - Middlesborough
9. Toby Atkins - York
10. Evan Moir - Kendal
11. Jake Haynes - Heath
12. Alex Robson - Alnwick
13. Kris Dobson - Harrogate
14. Harry Harrison - Ilkley
15. Ben Magee - Ilkley
16. Eoin Harrison - Harrogate
17. Michael Van Vuuren - Alnwick
18. Tom Clough - Heath
19. Joe Morrison - Heath
20. Freddie Clarke - Ilkley
For the most part the voting clubs will of only of seen players in 2 games, with the timing of the votes some players will of only been seen once.
Henshall clearly a great player, but Driffield faced Sandal on the 1st weekend and he didn't have a particularly standout game so wouldn't get in a 15 of players I've seen this season, that doesn't mean not deserving of a spot though
1. Jack Gaskell (Penrith)
2. Duncan Smith (Alnwick)
3. Josh Crickmay (Heath)
4. Alex Charlton (Blaydon)
5. Alex Patrick (Heath)
6. Martin Dodds (Harrogate)
7. Yaree Fantini (Blaydon)
8. Ollie Hodgson (Middlesbrough)
9. James Blackett (Alnwick)
10. Chris Johnson (Heath)
11. Amrit Sharma (Harrogate)
12. Kodie Brook (Harrogate)
13. Kristian Dobson (Harrogate)
14. Harry Harrison (Ilkley)
15. Ben Magee (Ilkley)
For what it's worth. Heath were outstanding as a side, but a number of players I've seen had better individual performances against Driffield
I'm proud to see the North Rugby NE Team of the Year selected for the Big Game in June. Several players have really made their mark this season. Dom Dalby, at Harrogate, has impressed in his debut season, anchoring the front row as a powerful and reliable tighthead prop.
Quote from: Unknown on Mar 18, 2026, 07:48 PMI'm proud to see the North Rugby NE Team of the Year selected for the Big Game in June. Several players have really made their mark this season. Dom Dalby, at Harrogate, has impressed in his debut season, anchoring the front row as a powerful and reliable tighthead prop.
Impressive accomplishment, especially after stepping up 3 levels from Yorkshire 2.