Yorkshire Rugby

Vandles have given OO a walkover so 5 points and promoted at champions. 3 in a row for Ensians.

BP v Hegians - Hegians+7
Halifax v HLH - HLH+7
Northallerton v Brid - North to put up a fight? But Brid-7
OO's v Vandals - O's+7 - if on?
Ripon v B&B - Ripon always do opposite of my prediction but still Ripon+7
Ossett v Baildon - Draw

Hegians +7
HLH +7
Brid +7
OO's +7 / HWO
Ripon +7
Baildon +7

Obviously two sides to every story but looks like a poor show from Vandals?

Ripon amazed even themselves yesterday with a 62 - 7 tatering of B&B. The visitors looked the part and had some very big boys, who were largely ineffective in most phases of the game. Ripon's set piece held well and the lighter, spritelier home pack thrived on quick ball and superior fitness.

The nine-try rout was spectacular to behold and with the bonus point in the bag before half time, B&B looked well and truly out of sorts. The late consolation try for B&B with ten minutes to go was just reward for their tenacity to stay in the game.

Great support for both teams and with the kid's curtain raiser and a bus load of B&B old boys it was a right party before, during and after the match.

Ripon now look forward to the Yorkshire Shield semi-final v Harrogate Pythons to be played at West Park Leeds on Wednesday 29th April, 7.30 kick off. All neutral and partisan supporters welcome.

OO were told at 18:30 Friday that Vandals could not raise a side. OO asked them to bring whatever they had as there was a sponsors day, and BBQ all planned - Assuming this is going to be punished at the start of next season for Vandals now.

Vandals said they didn't want to come and get a beating so OO could just celebrate afterwards. Was told that Cricket/RL is the main factor, obviously this game is a standard league game and not re-arranged, so it's not like it was any further in the season for them.. They did apologise but it was not how the season wanted to be finished.

There was still celebrations down at OO which went late into the evening, so the club still enjoyed themselves. After the initial annoyance of the game not been on.

Congratulations to Brid as well - Who unfortunately had the chance to go up as champs taken away. Although it wouldn't have changed the league standings if the game would have been played IMO

thanks for running this forum this year Locked Out!

 

Some interesting comments re Vandals crying off. I read the Vandals apology and it seemed sincere and they are obviously not a club who has made a habit of being unable to raise a team.
I am interested in the point raised by HandsIn TheRuck that Vandals should be penalised points at the start of next season.
The only time I can remember a similar incident occurring in the Halifax area was when Vandals and Goole were battling for the Yorkshire 3 title in 2017. Similar circumstances for the Vandals with sponsors etc all lined up for the final, deciding fixtures. Unfortunately, Vandals opponents, Otliensians cried off on the day and conceded the match as a HWO. Thus depriving Goole of a chance to claim the title. Very disappointing at the time but these things do happen.
My question to HandsInTheRuck is were Otliensians deducted points at the start of the following season and why didn't they send "what they had"?
Of course my memory may be failing me!

Quote from: John Noakes Dog on Apr 28, 2026, 04:18 PMSome interesting comments re Vandals crying off. I read the Vandals apology and it seemed sincere and they are obviously not a club who has made a habit of being unable to raise a team.
I am interested in the point raised by HandsIn TheRuck that Vandals should be penalised points at the start of next season.
The only time I can remember a similar incident occurring in the Halifax area was when Vandals and Goole were battling for the Yorkshire 3 title in 2017. Similar circumstances for the Vandals with sponsors etc all lined up for the final, deciding fixtures. Unfortunately, Vandals opponents, Otliensians cried off on the day and conceded the match as a HWO. Thus depriving Goole of a chance to claim the title. Very disappointing at the time but these things do happen.
My question to HandsInTheRuck is were Otliensians deducted points at the start of the following season and why didn't they send "what they had"?
Of course my memory may be failing me!

Ouch!

Quote from: John Noakes Dog on Apr 28, 2026, 04:18 PMSome interesting comments re Vandals crying off. I read the Vandals apology and it seemed sincere and they are obviously not a club who has made a habit of being unable to raise a team.
I am interested in the point raised by HandsIn TheRuck that Vandals should be penalised points at the start of next season.
The only time I can remember a similar incident occurring in the Halifax area was when Vandals and Goole were battling for the Yorkshire 3 title in 2017. Similar circumstances for the Vandals with sponsors etc all lined up for the final, deciding fixtures. Unfortunately, Vandals opponents, Otliensians cried off on the day and conceded the match as a HWO. Thus depriving Goole of a chance to claim the title. Very disappointing at the time but these things do happen.
My question to HandsInTheRuck is were Otliensians deducted points at the start of the following season and why didn't they send "what they had"?
Of course my memory may be failing me!

2016/2017 OO won the Yorkshire silver trophy and began their road to Twickenham (the first time, which they won in 2017/2018) 

Vandals forfeiting this stopped hegians having any change of promotion   

Correct. But not sure it answers anything. Otliensians were deducted 5 points that season not the following season for not fulfilling Vandals last home fixture. This left Goole in second place on points difference.
They also fulfilled their final home game against Stockbridge at home which they won easily. Poor form really.
So my question is why should Vandals lose points next season when Otliensians didn't? Precedence?

Read up love.. I said "Assuming this is going to be punished at the start of next season for Vandals now."  I have never once said that is what we want or what you deserve.. it's what the RFU will probably choose to do.


Promotion is promotion. Stopping a team potentially getting promoted is a different kettle. But ultimately its the RFU who decide. It is not the first time that the RFU have done this. If we would have been handed the -5 the following year we would have accepted it.. plus we came 2nd the year after 22 points clear. so it would have made no difference.

It was cancelling at half 6 on a Friday, when you had posted on socials that you were ready for the game, which was the most frustrating for us. We could have organised a friendly with more time.

I wish you good luck next season and I hope you can keep the players away from cricket and RL especially with the plans of bigger leagues.

Very Rich Otliensains asking about our punishments... just reference what you got failing to put a team out on our Promotion day...

We had a team till Friday. Then had drop outs... we let you know when they couldn't be replaced. Not much more we could do.

I've been up here 18yrs and never had a missed fixture before. I would also remind all those gunning for us, we're in a town of 50k ppl with 6 Union and 6 League teams. That's a good run to not be missing a game in those conditions. Brid boys leaving us messages on Facebook about being embarrassing, go well recruiting to the one team you have in the entire town.