The season is starting to take shape and at around a quarter of the way through I am going to try and band teams.
Bottom 3:
Malton
Cleckheaton
Wetherby
Mid Table:
Wath Upon Dearne
Bradford Salem
Dinnington
Shootout for the top:
Morley
Moortown
Pontefract
Selby
Old Brodleians
Pocklington
My guess for top 4 is:
1) Morley
2) Pocklington
3) Old Brodleians
4) Moortown
However, this is the most competitive I have seen the league and I'll probably change my view next week.
Malton seem nailed on for relegation and their 2nd team lost 90-0 on Saturday!!!
My thoughts for the league standings at the end of the season
Bottom 3:
cleck
Weth
M & M
Mid Table:
Selby
Ponte
Wath Upon Dearne
Bradford Salem
Dinnington
Shootout for the top:
Morley
Brods
Pocklington
Town
Top 4 is:
1) Morley
2) Brods
3) Pock
4) Town
I honestly think the league is still wide open. Injuries and availability will obviously play a massive part in who really kicks on, but I can't see anyone running away with it.
One thing you have to consider is with the weather turning there will be a few sides rubbing their hands together as it will suit their style of rugby more.
My top 4 would be (not sure on the order): I think a key commonality each of these sides have is that they have good 2nd teams which will fill gaps when injures inevitably happen.
Brods have got off to a flyer, always been a tough team to beat.
Pock were by far the 2nd best in the division last year, they will really fancy it
Morley probably have the best squad on paper, but paper doesn't win you rugby games
Moortown are a young side, if they are close by halfway could well be in with a shot.
Brods
Pock
Moortown
Morley
My bottom 4: Again, not in order.
I think Clecks experience will keep them up.
A lot of Salem are RL players and will not be used to the wet, windy & slower game.
Wetherby seem like a team in transition, they've been close in most of their games so far this year.
History would tell you that with the start Malton have had, they are destined for the drop. But they are still a decent side and tend to be more forward lead.
Cleck
Salem
Wetherby
Malton
Not confident in these, but looks like it is shaping up this way early on.