Saturday 7th March

[Differ Lid]

Final 4 games of the season and some brilliant match ups this week.

Alnwick vs Heath - MOTD
This is a massive game, and Heath to able to win the league with a win away at 2nd place Alnwick. This could be some bus trip home!
I think Alnwick will really test Heath and this will be an outstanding game, but Heath will get over the line.
Heath Win and deserved Champions

Blaydon vs Sandal
Blaydon appear to have a few names back and will always be dangerous at home. With the current form of sides below Sandal will they think they are safe? Or presume victory over Cleckheaton next time out will be enough?
Blaydon Win

Cleckheaton vs Kendal
This is an interesting game. Cleckheaton will be desperate to stop the winless run, and not an easy place to visit. I've got a feeling Cleck will get something from this
Cleckheaton Win

Harrogate vs York
With limited feedback on York this season it's tough to know if players have just returned from injuries or if the cheque book came out for survival. But they have certainly turned a corner.
Harrogate will be desperate to stay in the play off places so can't see them slipping up here.
Harrogate Win

Penrith vs Middlesbrough
Will the winless run for Penrith finally come to an end? Mathematically still possible for both teams to get out of the relegation (and playoff) places. So a win for either side will be vital.
Home Advantage
Penrith Win

Driffield Vs Ilkley
Like the first half of the season the Woldsmen are at the end of 4 games against the top 4 sides, with 3 losses they will be desperate to get a good home win. With Ilkley to face Heath & Alnwick in the next 2 games a 5 point win could give Driffield a shot at 4th place, or for Ilkley keep them in the hunt for the playoffs.
Driffield

[The Sideline Savant]

Alnwick vs Heath
Alnwick have had an impressive year and have managed to perform consistently well unlike other year! Heath looking to wrap up the league with a big win. Heath have a simple but very effective gameplan which no team has been able to stop! I can see Heath being fired up for this one.
Big Heath win

Blaydon vs Sandal
Blaydons form has really dipped recently and interestingly Sandal seem to have improved from where they were. I think the pitch will be the decisive factor in this result.
Blaydon win.

Cleckheaton vs Kendal
Cleckheaton seem to be a bit of a broken team this year. They have struggled with injuries and depth. Kendal have been consistently a mid table side and clearly their 10 knows this league well. Can Cleck get a big result to delay the inevitable?
Kendal in a close one.

Harrogate vs York
York have really improved since the start of the year. It seems a long time ago they were one of the favourites for the league! Harrogate have had a slightly up and down season, with some impressive victories, but also some poor losses! Harrogate have an easier run in on paper than most of their rivals, but the teams at the bottom will be fired up and have a lot to play for!
Harrogate to make a big statement win to build on towards the playoffs.

Penrith vs Middlesbrough
A big game in the context of the relegation zones! Interestingly, both teams have played Sandal in recent weeks, with Middlesborough prevailing and Penrith losing. Evidence suggests a Middlesborough win. Expecting a tight game.
Middlesborough win.

Driffield Vs Ilkley
Ilkley were in a close game last time out vs Harrogate, but in my view were fortunate to come away with anything from the game. Ilkley have not come out after the Christmas break as the same team pre Christmas. Injuries have played there part, but obviously this effects all teams throughout the season. Driffield have had a relatively turbulent season, but have always been in games with a never say die attitude. I really fancy Driffield in this one. Will a loss for Ilkley essentially end their play off hopes?
Driffield win.

A lot to play for this weekend with some entertaining games; a potential promotion, and a potential relegation. What else could we ask for?

[Pristine Shorts]

Alnwick v Heath - what a cracker this should be. Alnwick to show why they're second in the league, but a narrow away win for the Champions elect.

Blaydon v Sandal - Blaydon have gone walkabout recently, but I think their awful pitch will help them edge this.

Cleckheaton v Kendal - poor old Cleck look doomed, but will play with great spirit. And scrape a win.

Driffield v Ilkley - should be an attractive game, as usual. One sided at Ilkley for 60 minutes before the home side stopped playing. An odd Ilkley side out and I suspect a home win. Did I really just say that ? Any Ilkley win and they are guaranteed to finish above the Woldsmen.

Harrogate v York - much as I'd love York to win, they won't. Shame.

Penrith v Middlesbrough - a bargain basement bonanza. Surely a Penrith win.

[Kellythorpe]

Alnwick v Heath. Very close. I think Heath will sneak it.
Blaydon v Sandal. I suppose plastic will win.
Cleckheaton v Kendal. I think Cleck might edge this.
Harrogate v York. Gate to win to keep their hopes alive.
Penrith v Middlesbrough. Close again. Home win.
Driffield v Ilkley. I would like a home win to raise the spirits.

[Yari]

I predict some upsets. Winners this week:

Alnwick
Blaydon
Kendal
York
Penrith
Ilkley

[Differ Lid]

Driffield lucky to score the 22 points. At half time at 10-17 it still didn't feel like Driffield were in the game.
Ilkley weren't the free flowing side I've seen over the last few years, but still to much for Driffield on a bad day.

[Pristine Shorts]

Congratulations to Alnwick for inflicting Heath's first defeat, though the Championship is theirs for the taking...

Good win for Ilkley, despite an unusual line-up. That cements 4th place and that's where I think we'll stay, looking at the rest of the fixtures. Next up is Heath at home, followed by the Alnwick trip. Last match away at York might well have more significance for them than us, otherwise a dead rubber.

Sorry to have missed the game on Saturday, the first for ages. See you next season though.

[Dean North]

Was a great game at Alnwick, 2 strong teams knocking lumps out of each other. No complaints from us the best side got the points. Still all to play for.

[Yari]

Was a great game at Alnwick, 2 strong teams knocking lumps out of each other. No complaints from us the best side got the points. Still all to play for.

Looking at your run of fixtures, I think you've got it wrapped up.

[BishBashBosh]

Pretty decent write up on the York site for the Gate vs York match.
Very one sided affair, but plenty of endeavour from York.
Will be an interesting end to the season at the top and bbottom