Yorkshire Rugby

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Promotion:
Pocklington vs Selby
Old Brodleians vs Morley

Relegation:
Wetherby vs Old Crossleyans

A fair end to the season? I think Pocklington will easily walk away with the win at home. The other 2 games are much harder to predict.

I will back Old Brodleians on the hill at home but Morley at full tilt (after resting their starboys and saving a pretty penny vs Crossleyans) will be looking to spend that cash on a play off run.

Wetherby on their home pitch will fancy themselves however Old Crossleyans are no mug on their day and capable of beating anybody. An average Wetherby beat an average Crossleyans but an on-song Crossleyans beats an on-song Wetherby.

Wetherby to get the job done.

Quote from: avinastella on Apr 14, 2026, 10:01 AM

Quote from: Differ Lid on Apr 14, 2026, 06:19 AMWho has been poaching already?

A local N2 club currently without a 2nd team but who said they want 2nd teams allowed in the leagues.
The club is at serious risk of ending up in the relegation play offs

Otley, let's spell it out. Given Hulls run of fixtures I think they will be in the playoff.

Quote from: Differ Lid on Apr 14, 2026, 06:19 AMWho has been poaching already?

A local N2 club currently without a 2nd team but who said they want 2nd teams allowed in the leagues.
The club is at serious risk of ending up in the relegation play offs

Quote from: Differ Lid on Apr 14, 2026, 06:12 AM

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.

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!

Who has been poaching already?

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: 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.

And as predicted, have started their poaching campaign

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

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.