Given last weeks relatively poor interaction (myself included), I thought I would start this early to give people a chance to discuss.
What are peoples views as to the play-off games?
The games in question, with my views, are:
Alnwick vs Harrogate
Huge clash. At the start of the season Harrogate got the better of Alnwick, however, Alnwick repaid the favour in the return fixture. I believe Harrogate have the better squad, but have been more inconsistent! Alnwick have gone from strength to strength since the new year and are coming off a run of impressive form. I am going to go for a real close game with home advantage playing its part. Alnwick by 2 points!
Middlesbrough v York
Both teams finished the season on real highs, seeing off two good sides. It'll be sure to give them both plenty of encouragement heading in to the playoffs. Middlesborough have some experienced operators in their side, with the smart addition of Sam Gaudie at 9! Again home advantage to play its part and Middlesborough to win the day. Boro by 10.
Lets hope all teams have a real crack at these playoffs and we are treated to some entertaining, high stakes rugby!
Alnwick vs Harrogate
I think this will be a fantastic game. I've been more impressed in the 2 games I've seen of Alnwick than of Harrogate. So would've leaning towards an Alnwick Win. Home advantage is a massive factor, particularly given Alnwick record at home over the last few years.
I suppose the other factor is who actually wants to go up? It's clear as day Harrogate do, you don't invest the sort of money they have without the desire to go up. Alnwick would have one hell of a travel bill in Nat 2, but don't think that will factor into the players thoughts.
Followed abit of Nat 2 through the season I think it's going to be Otley vs Alnwick for a spot in Nat 2
Middlesbrough vs York
Well the rumblings of York having a stag do that weekend taking a number of regular 1st team players out of contention. However assuming both sides are full strength.
Middlesbroughs recent form has been impressive, with some massive results. York similarly have been fighting for their lives. That being said both sides have faced teams with very little to play for in the last 3 games.
Home advantage for Middlesbrough to be the biggest factor, making Middlesbrough the first promoted side in a number of years to stay in the league.
York vs Pocklington in the playoff final would make for one hell of a fixture
If it did end up York v Pock, who would you fancy?
Looking forward to the pros and cons being presented for and against by DAA and Pockroach
Please dont forget that North Ribb will be playing somewhere at level five. We have expressed our desire to come back to NE but who knows where we will emnd up. Would be great to play Ilkley, York, Sandal (first time ever) and a few North-East teams. Lets see after the play-offs that nobody really wanted.
Alnwick in fine form, so will start as favourites, especially at home. Harrogate however do have some big game players who can win a game all by themselves, so not counting them out just yet.
Lot so of chat on what they've invested this season, but the only new players are Mallinson (R League, not Salem style Super League), Dalby (from Ripon) and Harrison (who is a Gate jnr who now lives back in Harrogate) Everyone else played last year
Will wait for the team sheets before predictions (winning margin less than 5 though
Midds vs York
Predicted Midds to be the surprise package and suppose it's a surprise that a promoted team has stayed up, so I'll take that. Think they'll win with the 8/9/12 combo and a very dangerous winger. Midds have some vry fine individual players, just need to mould the rest of the squad to the demands of the league.
Take Midds win by +10
York will beat whoever they play from the League below
Quote from: BishBashBosh on Apr 13, 2026, 09:58 PMLot so of chat on what they've invested this season, but the only new players are Mallinson (R League, not Salem style Super League), Dalby (from Ripon) and Harrison (who is a Gate jnr who now lives back in Harrogate) Everyone else played last year
Will wait for the team sheets before predictions (winning margin less than 5 though
The Player/DOR was some investment and didn't play last year. I'm not saying they shouldn't spend money on a DOR or a player but it was a sign of intent. (Similar to Heath with Johnson a few years ago).
Harrogate 2s playing regular fixtures this year shows some return, but promotion would have been the goal no doubt.
Quote from: backrowbandit on Apr 13, 2026, 06:54 PMIf it did end up York v Pock, who would you fancy?
It's a really tough one, Pock are used to winning, York not so much this season. At York gives a big advantage, but I'm sure Pock would love the challenge.
Yorks Pack will have more then enough to handle Pocks, which by all accounts has been a big selling point for them. So would assume limiting the forward pressure York would have enough to win.
Quote from: Differ Lid on Apr 14, 2026, 06:12 AMQuote from: BishBashBosh on Apr 13, 2026, 09:58 PMLot so of chat on what they've invested this season, but the only new players are Mallinson (R League, not Salem style Super League), Dalby (from Ripon) and Harrison (who is a Gate jnr who now lives back in Harrogate) Everyone else played last year
Will wait for the team sheets before predictions (winning margin less than 5 though
The Player/DOR was some investment and didn't play last year. I'm not saying they shouldn't spend money on a DOR or a player but it was a sign of intent. (Similar to Heath with Johnson a few years ago).
Harrogate 2s playing regular fixtures this year shows some return, but promotion would have been the goal no doubt.
From what I have heard on the touchline at a few games this year, it was always Harrogates plan to push for promotion, but ultimately had a two year plan to get back to the National Leagues. Like with any team, a new DOR will bring new ideas and systems which will take time to implement.
Interesting to see the recruitment/ retentions for next season from a few sides!
Quote from: Differ Lid on Apr 14, 2026, 06:12 AMQuote from: BishBashBosh on Apr 13, 2026, 09:58 PMLot so of chat on what they've invested this season, but the only new players are Mallinson (R League, not Salem style Super League), Dalby (from Ripon) and Harrison (who is a Gate jnr who now lives back in Harrogate) Everyone else played last year
Will wait for the team sheets before predictions (winning margin less than 5 though
The Player/DOR was some investment and didn't play last year. I'm not saying they shouldn't spend money on a DOR or a player but it was a sign of intent. (Similar to Heath with Johnson a few years ago).
Harrogate 2s playing regular fixtures this year shows some return, but promotion would have been the goal no doubt.
You're also forgetting that said DOR was a former player with 250+ Harrogate caps and Captain for a number of years. Add in his brother plays second row, current captain and again 250+ caps - that's quite the pull.
DOR's get paid at pretty much every club, I could understand if Jake had just signed as a player, but DOR is different (It's not like we've signed an ex England full back as DOR ;D )
No doubt Gate will have wanted to go up and I would expect that most teams that come from Nat 2 want to bounce straight back up. The problem for Gate is the flip flopping between the two leagues - Nat 2 is just a much stronger league and will wear down an unprepared squad before xmas. You need so much more depth to stay up.
Not implying anything wrong with it in the slightest, clear links to the club etc.
It was an investment with aspirations of promotion. So as a club would be keen to see the promotion, if not this year the next.
Quote from: BishBashBosh link=msg=3612 date=1776184768
quote author=BishBashBosh link=msg=3612 date=1776184768]
You're also forgetting that said DOR was a former player with 250+ Harrogate caps and Captain for a number of years. Add in his brother plays second row, current captain and again 250+ caps - that's quite the pull.
DOR's get paid at pretty much every club, I could understand if Jake had just signed as a player, but DOR is different (It's not like we've signed an ex England full back as DOR ;D )
From personal experience this season, he's doing a very good job.
For interest...the Director of Rugby at Scarborough and all 8 assistant directors of rugby are all unpaid volunteers.
Same at Ilkley as well....
Ilkley threw in the towel at York on Saturday, coughing up a 24 point lead. Boro did well to beat Harrogate, so it's clear that home advantage and wanting it more are the secrets to success.
I think Boro will beat a weakened York, but York will beat whoever the contender is from NE2, probably Pock.
Going up ? I'd be pleased to see the back of the permanently entitled Harrogate, but Alnwick are great at home and have the better form. Perhaps the three ex-Ilkley players for 'gate will make the difference, but on balance I think Alnwick will nick it.
Finally, I'd love to see Ribb back where they belong - it's been a long time - and they should really dig their heels in with the authorities and insist !
Quote from: Pristine Shorts on Apr 17, 2026, 07:04 AMIlkley threw in the towel at York on Saturday, coughing up a 24 point lead. Boro did well to beat Harrogate, so it's clear that home advantage and wanting it more are the secrets to success.
I think Boro will beat a weakened York, but York will beat whoever the contender is from NE2, probably Pock.
Going up ? I'd be pleased to see the back of the permanently entitled Harrogate, but Alnwick are great at home and have the better form. Perhaps the three ex-Ilkley players for 'gate will make the difference, but on balance I think Alnwick will nick it.
Finally, I'd love to see Ribb back where they belong - it's been a long time - and they should really dig their heels in with the authorities and insist !
I'd like Gate to stay in this league just take take 10 points from the downtrodden paupers from Ilkley every season....
Fair play to them, the Mary Jane is worth the visit to Stacks Field
Thought that mig
Quote from: BishBashBosh on Apr 17, 2026, 11:18 AMQuote from: Pristine Shorts on Apr 17, 2026, 07:04 AMIlkley threw in the towel at York on Saturday, coughing up a 24 point lead. Boro did well to beat Harrogate, so it's clear that home advantage and wanting it more are the secrets to success.
I think Boro will beat a weakened York, but York will beat whoever the contender is from NE2, probably Pock.
Going up ? I'd be pleased to see the back of the permanently entitled Harrogate, but Alnwick are great at home and have the better form. Perhaps the three ex-Ilkley players for 'gate will make the difference, but on balance I think Alnwick will nick it.
Finally, I'd love to see Ribb back where they belong - it's been a long time - and they should really dig their heels in with the authorities and insist !
I'd like Gate to stay in this league just take take 10 points from the downtrodden paupers from Ilkley every season....
Fair play to them, the Mary Jane is worth the visit to Stacks Field
Thought that might get a bite ! Didn't see either match this season as I was away, but apparently robbed at your place and a fair result at ours, so best of luck to you. And I actually prefer the Wharfedale Blonde.
You get robbed every season at Rudding, must make sure the lads wear masks next time.
Taking of ex players, I see that your captain and former Gate player is moving down the leagues. Not seen him on the teamsheet much this year, but will be a loss
Actually, the last time we played at Rudding, we won ( December 2023 ) That was the first time since 1961 I believe !
And yes, our record-breaking Captain is moving down the valley. He's been plagued by injuries this season, including concussion, but he feels he still has some fight in him. We wish him well, he's been a top lad.
Quote from: Pristine Shorts on Apr 17, 2026, 02:09 PMActually, the last time we played at Rudding, we won ( December 2023 ) That was the first time since 1961 I believe !
And yes, our record-breaking Captain is moving down the valley. He's been plagued by injuries this season, including concussion, but he feels he still has some fight in him. We wish him well, he's been a top lad.
Actually your memory is falling you as you lost at Rudding in November 2025.
To be fair there are so many loses, the probably all blur into one...
Actually meant prior to this season. November 2025 was when we were robbed by some very dodgy refereeing. I wrote the report for the 2023 win, noting that Elvis was Number One the last time we beat Harrogate !
It is always interesting hearing from the Ilkley following. I'm not sure I've ever heard someone at the club say they lost fair and square?
Interestingly, two of the players playing in that 2023 Ilkley win at Rudding were playing for Harrogate after the Christmas break! What a loss they were for Ilkley, surely Ilkley will rue letting them leave! But again, I've heard rumours of nepotism getting in the way. As good as DoR Morgan has been at Ilkley for a long period, I feel he may be the villain of his own downfall....
In terms of Harrogate, in my opinion they will likely remain in this league! They have struggled to find consistency at times. When they are good, they are very good, but equally have been very poor at times. Looking forward to a few more Ilkley v Harrogate derbies. Maybe some dummies can be handed out in the clubhouse after the game for those whinging about refereeing decisions!
I am making the trip up as a neutral at the weekend and am hoping for a great game. I am expecting a cracker with nothing in it between the two sides!
Like the playoff system or not North Rugby on social media is doing a brilliant job of building some excitement for the games
Quote from: backrowbandit on Apr 15, 2026, 08:10 AMFor interest...the Director of Rugby at Scarborough and all 8 assistant directors of rugby are all unpaid volunteers.
You wouldn't expect anything less from a traditional local based sea fairing family as the Fodens. Who's generational links to Scarborough in the winkle and cockle catching industry are well known!
He's not the Director of Rugby. He's the Head coach.
Doesn't it get boring being wrong all the time ??🤔🤔🤔
Quote from: Dark Arts Advocate on Apr 23, 2026, 08:30 PMQuote from: backrowbandit on Apr 15, 2026, 08:10 AMFor interest...the Director of Rugby at Scarborough and all 8 assistant directors of rugby are all unpaid volunteers.
You wouldn't expect anything less from a traditional local based sea fairing family as the Fodens. Who's generational links to Scarborough in the winkle and cockle catching industry are well known!
Quick question DAA, does the loser of York v Boro then have to play another R1 relegation playoff loser, to see who then plays the winner of the R2 Knockouts?
No, the team which loses tomorrow will face the winner of R2N vs R2NE Play off game
Quote from: Differ Lid on Apr 24, 2026, 12:53 PMNo, the team which loses tomorrow will face the winner of R2N vs R2NE Play off game
Thanks Differ, I've got my wires crossed looking at an Instagram post.
And the wagon rolls out n for another week
Just been told Middlesborough won and York will go into the playoff final
So
Pocklington vs Consett. Winners travel to York the following week. York picked up a couple of injuries in the game by all accounts.
Anselmians vs Harrogate. Winners travel to Rossendale the following week.
Alnwick and Middlesbrough remain.
Alnwick have been outstanding this season, but a focused Harrogate getting a result at one of the most difficult away grounds in the north! Congratulations.
Hats off to Middlesbrough, the 1st promoted side since 2022/23 season to stay in the league.
Anselmians 40 - 41 Harrogate
Pocklington 29 - 25 Consett