Yorkshire Rugby

Ilkley v Alnwick. I am taking Ilkley to win this at home. +7
M'boro v Cleck. If Cleck have a full team out, I think they can get a much needed win. -7
Penrith v Blaydon. I assume this will be very close. Blaydon just. -7
Sandal v Harrogate. Harrogate surely easy win. +7
York v Heath. Having watched York last Saturday, when they couldn't turn territory and possession into points as well as the few times they had to defend, they didnt, an easy win for Heath. +7
Kendal v Driffield. I know nothing of Kendal except their league position. If Driff can get a good selection for this long trip, a win I hope. -7

A few interesting games this week!

Ilkley v Alnwick. Ilkleys 7's contigent to return, albeit I think this may be in vain. Alnwicks backs to cope with the Ilkley flyers. Predicting an Alnwick win.
Middlesborough v Cleckheaton. Middlesborough look a decent sside to me and have been unlucky in a few games. Cleck to struggle away from home. Boro win
Penrith v Blaydon. Both 4G teams, although I presume Blaydon will knick this one. Blaydon win.
Sandal v Harrogate. Sandal always difficult to beat at home, however not quite performed this year. Harrogate have had a spluttering start, however, they keep winning. Harrogate win
York v Heath. Can't see anyone beating Heath this year unless Harrogate can do a number on them at home. Heath to continue winning ways.
Kendal v Driffield. Kendal will be tough to beat at home. Simple and effective gameplan which the 10 orchestrates. Driffield seem to be a tad inconsistent. Going with a Kendal win.

Ilkley v Alnwick - another toughie for the Dalesmen, but with the wanderers returning, a narrow home win,

Kendal v Driffield - home advantage to tell, just.

Middlesbrough v Cleckheaton - and again, despite Cleck's apparent revival.

Penrith v Blaydon - the Cumbrians seem to have faded. Away win.

Sandal v Harrogate - 'gate have scraped home in their last 3 matches. Their luck might desert them here. But probably not. Away win.

York v Heath - Heath are a far better side than last year, having added finesse to their normal grunt and shunt. More misery for the Minstermen. Heath still have to play Harrogate, Alnwick and Ilkley away, so perhaps they won't go unbeaten. Who knows ?

Ilkley vs Alnwick - still surprised by Ilkley's position in the table. Think the next 3 games will see them slip to mid table. Alnwick

Kendal vs Driffield - Depends what kind of Driffield side play at Kendal. If they let Moir use his boot, he could kick them to death.
Kendal

Middlesbrough vs Cleckheaton - Cleckheaton fighting for their life but think Middlesbrough will sneak this in a low scoring close game.
Middlesbrough

Penrith vs Blaydon - Blaydon like playing on the plastic and if they have an improved side out this week should dispatch of Penrith.
Blaydon

Sandal vs Harrogate - I can see Sandal sneaking this one at home. Harrogate not as strong as they have been.
Sandal

York vs Heath - Heath to inflict yet another heavy defeat on York.
Heath by more than 50

Quote from: Bin Juice on Dec 05, 2025, 11:17 AMIlkley vs Alnwick - still surprised by Ilkley's position in the table. Think the next 3 games will see them slip to mid table. Alnwick

Kendal vs Driffield - Depends what kind of Driffield side play at Kendal. If they let Moir use his boot, he could kick them to death.
Kendal

Middlesbrough vs Cleckheaton - Cleckheaton fighting for their life but think Middlesbrough will sneak this in a low scoring close game.
Middlesbrough

Penrith vs Blaydon - Blaydon like playing on the plastic and if they have an improved side out this week should dispatch of Penrith.
Blaydon

Sandal vs Harrogate - I can see Sandal sneaking this one at home. Harrogate not as strong as they have been.
Sandal

York vs Heath - Heath to inflict yet another heavy defeat on York.
Heath by more than 50

Last time Ilkley played Alnwick at home, it was a draw. A win this time will set them up well for Kendal next week, where Ilkley won earlier in the season and then Sandal, a bit of a bogey side normally, but well beaten at Stack's Field. Finishing 4th would be the Dalesmen's best season and would avoid the play-offs. I think.

Ilkley v Alnwick - Ilkley win

Kendal v Driffield - Driffield win

Middlesbrough v Cleckheaton - Middlesbrough win

Penrith v Blaydon - Blaydon win

Sandal v Harrogate - Sandal win

York v Heath - Heath win

Ilkley vs Alnwick
With the 7s lads back Ilkley will be firing plenty of shots. However I think styles of play will have Alnwick leaving with victory, but Ilkley to score plenty
Alnwick Win

Kendal vs Driffield
The 1st of 2 December trips to the Lake District for the Woldsmen. A much needed victory last weekend should give Driffield confidence if they can get off the bus.
Driffield Win

Middlesbrough vs Cleckheaton
A battling Cleckheaton to be to much for Middlesbrough
Cleckheaton Win

Penrith vs Blaydon
Penrith got off to a strong start but appear to be slipping down the table.
Blaydon Win

Sandal vs Harrogate
Harrogate doing the same as the last time they played in regional 1. Getting wins but never making it look easy. They have an arrogance about them that's probably giving sides a chance. Another tight game
Harrogate Win

York vs Heath
Heath 2nd Team could turn out for this and get the win I think. I do hope York manage to turn things around, mostly for a local game next season.
Heath Win

The word from York is they absolutely battled their asses off today...Hopefully they'll kick on and pick some points up in the next few weeks.

Although they lost,that was a seriously good effort.

York were on top up front and in the physicality aspect. Why can't they produce the same performance every week? I think Heath were lucky to win this fixture. I'm stunned with this as I thought it would be a complete desolation. Bravo, York. Well done to Heath to scraping by in this fixture. Their "meat grinder" only had a reverse gear. Certainly not what I expected. What has happened to Heath?

Driffield let the victory slip through their fingers. The much better side for 70 minutes, winning 24-10 going into the final spell.
Some scrappy defending gave Kendal hope and lack of composure and unneeded penalties gave them a kick to the corner and a driving maul try. Conversion by Moir to get the draw was brilliant.


Ilkley and Alnwick sounds like a good game? Did the Dubai try scorers have Jet lag or missing Morgan a big loss at 10?

York result is a shock, and hats off to them for keeping Heath honest for 80 minutes. Some complacency from Heath potentially?

Penrith continue to slip, and Middlesbrough with a valuable 5 points.

Although I don't believe the league is as strong this season, it is just as competitive throughout. And I don't like the playoff situation but the mid table battle is looking very interesting to avoid the relegation playoff game.

The Play-off situation has been imposed on us by Terry Burwell and his delusional cohorts. Despite many clubs not wanting it. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears. What more can we say other than reiterate the attitude "When we want your opinion we will ask for it. Until then keep quiet" Very poor in my opinion. Bloody shambles.

Ilkley were still not at full strength, with both Morgan and Magee still out. A bit of a makeshift front row too. The weather turned truly foul in the second half and it's a good job we kicked off at 14.00.

Alnwick had the edge and were 18-8 up at half time with two well-taken tries, two penalties and a conversion. Ilkley had scored one try, the conversion hitting the post and a penalty. The second half saw just a penalty from Alnwick, then another Ilkley penalty hitting the post, a disallowed touchdown and eventually a try in the corner, beautifully converted for the losing BP.

No complaints, the better side on the day won.

That's three losses on the trot for the Dalesmen, albeit all against the top three. Kendal next week, so hoping for a full-strength side and a rock hard pitch.

Quote from: Ribbflagman on Dec 07, 2025, 09:43 AMThe Play-off situation has been imposed on us by Terry Burwell and his delusional cohorts. Despite many clubs not wanting it. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears. What more can we say other than reiterate the attitude "When we want your opinion we will ask for it. Until then keep quiet" Very poor in my opinion. Bloody shambles.

Hear, hear, Flaggy !

Quote from: Ribbflagman on Dec 07, 2025, 09:43 AMThe Play-off situation has been imposed on us by Terry Burwell and his delusional cohorts. Despite many clubs not wanting it. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears. What more can we say other than reiterate the attitude "When we want your opinion we will ask for it. Until then keep quiet" Very poor in my opinion. Bloody shambles.

County are aware there is serious unease about the Play Offs. They are also aware that clubs want a return to 14 team leagues.