Right then all, final weekend is upon us. (League that is)
Just like to point out think it's been an excellent season, with Scarborough rightly being crowned. I also think it's been competitive thereafter with some surprising results throughout the season.
Naturally a lot to play for this weekend at both ends of the table.
Brods vs Donny - will brods implode like they did last year against Donny on the last game of the season? Donny to throw the kitchen sink to get their first win of the season? Hard to see anything other than a home win here. Brods -7
Pock vs Moortown - tightly contested game here. Pock Safe in second but with a bit of 7's hangover. Town will be looking to hang on to their 5th spot. To then play pock again next week! Moortown +7
Scarbs vs $al€m - while Salem will be on the hunt for a play off place, I can't see anything other than a home win. Scarbs will want to see their season off with a bang after the Donny debacle. Scarbs -7
Selby vs M&N - GOTW - with how tight it is in and around that 5th play off spot both teams raring to go in a North Yorkshire derby. Granted results need to go the right way. Wanting a M&N win here but think it will be a home win. Selby + 7
Old Crocs vs Morley - crocs will be fighting for a home play off at the bottom end of the table. Morley wanting that home play off and brods to slip. Think crocs will show enough grit like last years end of season game. Crocs +7
Wetherby vs Ponte - could be another GOTW here. Ponte to crumble at the final hurdle and a comfortable Wetherby win in my eyes. Wetherby-7
Old Brods v Donny P – Big home win for Old Brods, hoping Donny Phoenix can regroup and rebuild for next season.
Old Crocs v Morley – The small pitch won't suit Morley and I'm expecting the game closer that league positions would suggest. Morley to scrape a win but no bonus points.
Pocklington V Moortown – Pocklington comfortable home win to end Moortown's hopes of a playoff place.
Scarborough v Brad Salem – Scarborough to end their championship season with a bonus point win. League champions, promoted and team of the season. As Selby and Pontefract found the league above is tough but I think Scarborough have the resources to compete in North East 1.
Wetherby v Pontefract –MOTD for me a very close game which could go either way. Much will depend on how strong the Pontefract team is, Pontefract have a small squad and will need to be at full strength to have a chance. If Pontefract are at full strength then just a Pontefract win, If not Wetherby.
Selby v M&N – Selby win to give them a place in the promotion playoffs.
I suspect these fixtures will not be easy to predict. A number of teams have nothing to play for on the final day and therefore we can probably expect some squad rotation with the opportunity to blood new faces.
Old Brods v Donny P – can't see anything other than Donny ending the season winless and Brods securing 3rd place for the play offs.
Old Crocs v Morley – always a tight affair regardless of league positions. Both teams have little to play for with Crocs consigned to a relegation play off whilst Morley have cemented a 4th place finish. Backing Morley to come away with 4 points.
Pocklington V Moortown – think Pock will have too much up front for Town who seem to have faded at the back end of the season.
Scarborough v Brad Salem – congratulations to Scarborough on the league title and promotion to N1. They will want to finish on a high and i think they will get the job done. It's a tough leap to the league above as we often see promoted teams coming straight back down the following year so will be following with interest. Some very long road trips ahead for them.
Wetherby v Pontefract – two teams with everything to play for. I favour Wetherby if they are at full strength, however, Ponte are always a tough side to beat. I think there will only be a few points in this either way.
Selby v M&N – Selby need the win to guarantee play offs and they should get it done at home.
Old Brods v Donny P – Brods Win and Good luck to Donny on rebuilding for next season, suspect any of the clubs in NE2 would be in the same position if they lost the number of key players donny did over last off season.
Old Crocs v Morley – Crocs needing a win and hoping weth beat ponty to get home game in the sword of damaclease relegation play off. Could see this meaning more to them and at home so going for a crocs win.
Pocklington V Moortown – Pock to take the win.
Scarborough v Brad Salem – Best of luck to scarbs for next season think that step up would be tough for any of the teams in our league but Scarbs probable have the best infrastructure to make it stick so good luck to them. Scarb win
Wetherby v Pontefract – At least the maths is simple whoever loses is in the play off with Crocs for the drop to Y1. As always backing our lads wetherby win.
Selby v M&N – local derby coin toss as to the result im going to buck the trend and go for Malton win.
Interesting foot note that i think highlights how close our league has been this season. Wetherby and Ponty the two teams fighting to avoid the relegation play off have both played the champions scarborough within the last few weeks. Despite both of them losing it could have gone either way in both games With wetherby losing by 2 points and Ponty by 5. Good luck to everyone for what remains of the season and hope to see the majority of you all again next season.
Old Brods v Donny P – Shame Donnys last match is away. There are some great folk at that club so hopefully they'll settle in Y1. Old Brods will obviously win.
Old Crocs v Morley – Will Yorkshirea "big club" fancy the heat of going to crocs?? They probably will just about manage a win away.
Pocklington V Moortown – My shock of the day is a win for Moortown who will run Pock off the park. I'm told that the Moortown big wigs have bought a pallet of short date Snowball and they are heading home for an all-nighter! Pock will be planning their playoff marathon!
Scarborough v Brad Salem – last season Salem came to Silver Royd with all their rugby league contingent just as Scarborough were blooding about six 17 year olds...and we only lost by a try. They are a year older now and either at University or still here.
Salem seem to be either winning matches or just losing so they're not far off. Could be quite a battle or one team might win by a lot!
Wetherby v Pontefract – This will be a slogathon with lots of high tackles and foul language! Ponte to just pip it...they looked good in the last match..
Selby v M&N – a sort of derby. Hard to call...it could be the last match before retirement for a few Malton boys and I think they'll want to go out on a high. They have some very loyal servants who have represented their club with distinction and deserve a good send off (if indeed they hang their boots up). However Selby may have too much gas. Home win...just.
Lots of rumours abound in West Yorkshire not least about whether I should start dying my beard for next year.
Morley are sending a weakened team to crocs while brods have gone fully loaded against the bottom side.
Will either of these choices prove important when the two teams play next week in the play offs?
Crocs are scared to death of getting Ponte but rubbing their hands at the thought of Wetherby in the play offs apparently.
Salem are in the market for even tougher tackling ex NRL backs to compensate for Randy, handsy Andy Robinson next year.
HT
Wetherby 12 ponte14
Any news from crocs
Ponte 5 point bonus win and avoid the play off
Good way to sign off today. Close game at halftime and then Scarborough pulled away in the 2nd half.
As you'd expect it was a huge crowd and super atmosphere especially during the trophy presentation.
Bradford played their part and were very fair and congratulated the Scarborough boys.
Well reffed.
Scarborough way too good for Salem. Took a short while to get control but once the did it was one way traffic. Not sure how strong a side Salem sent but we were expecting a closer game.
Crowned a fantastic season. Great to see the boys get the recognition and accolades they deserved. Good on Salem for staying out for the presentation.
Seen this ref a few times and thought he had a real off day.
Scarborough clear winners in the end and i'm sure a good spectacle.
Score doesn't tell the story of the game however and i think Salem were well up for it in the first half.
Some really good young players they can build a team around and push on next season.
Scarborough will be looking to do the same in R1NE
Well done Scarborough and good luck for next season!