25/26 Fixtures

[Pristine Shorts]

They're out...

Home to York, then away to Kendal for the first two matches.

[Differ Lid]

"Level 5 rugby club, 10mins from Leeds, England, looking for second row / back row.

Match fees available, excellent club, great facilities... please get in touch."

Can only assume Harrogate is looking for a friend to join Brady in the row? Alternatively the non paying clubs around Leeds have had a change of heart.

[BishBashBosh]

Harrogate is not 10 mins from Leeds though

Also there will be no space in the row as we've got both Brady brothers, plus a lot of back row options if everyone has signed on for another year

[Oldandslow]

About 10 miles from the southern border of Leeds to Sandal.

[Dark Arts Advocate]

Driffield?

[Differ Lid]

I'm sure this new season had been started and deleted.

But this are my thoughts

Alnwick quietly go about business every year. Strong at home and always a side that are up there. Top 5 finish

Blaydon with the DMP signing from last year should be good when they are available, some good players and could upset some teams, particularly at home. Mid table finish

Cleckheaton without the Pipers could be interesting, how quickly Hainsworth rejoins from injury could be the key. Lost a few players and an aging squad. Bottom half finish

Driffield haven't lost any players to the national leagues this season so unchanged squad. Few local lads joined and another season under the belt of the young lads. Some great colts coming through. If they can make Kelleythorpe a tough place to visit then top half finish should be on the cards.

Harrogate will back themselves to bounce straight back again. They weren't convincing for me winning the league last time out but they got the job done. I think some pressure will come from other sides this time out. Top 3 finish

Heath been consistent for a lot of seasons now. Lost scrumhalf to Huddersfield could be key for them but the pack give anyone at 9 an armchair ride. Top 3 finish

Ilkley could fly high or could be battling at the bottom. They are a great team when they are firing. I think mid table to bottom half but safe.

Kendal seem to have some good faces through the door, some long away days for them but also gives them solid home advantage. Mid table finish

Middlesbrough coming up are an unknown side. What has been shown over recent seasons is the promoted sides have struggled to break out of the bottom. Recent history says a relegation battle

Penrith could well be in the same boat as Middlesbrough, mid table last time out in a not so competitive west league. Relegation battle but some good home wins I imagine

Sandal have apparently lost a few, if the captain has recovered from his knee injury then mid table, if he is out for most of the season then bottom half and potentially dragged into a scrap.

York have been attracting players to the club £rom £ar and wide. They obviously have a lot on o££er as a club. Real promotion £ocus. Top £ finish. But how the the second team hold out this time round is the big question

[Bin Juice]

Yeah I started that post but unsure where it's gone. Or if I've deleted, still getting to grips with the posting.

But I'll add my thoughts in here again.

Most of my predictions are somewhat close to yours Differ Lid. Think mid to lower end of the table and those who might get relegated are almost impossible.

Alwnick - Strong at home and some really strong players in pivotal positions. Front row players in abundance and a set of backs who can play. Can see them doing well if they keep a consistent team out every week.

Blaydon - Managed to avoid relegation in the last game. Some big signings made near the end of the season - will they be sticking around? Need a front row to be competitive and again consistency with squad selection. Will their coaches be playing this year? A lot of factors to determine how Blaydon will do this year. Don't think they'll be fighting relegation.

Cleckheaton - Solid team. Some great players, their 13 is influential to them achieving. Hopefully he's back to give them some go forward. Dickie Piper off to Huddersfield after his supposed retirement. How will they go without him? I predict they'll be mid table.

Driffield - Good outfit, great club ethos. Strong pack and some hard running backs. Seemingly haven't lost any players to national 2 sides. My apologies. Think they'll still do well.

Harrogate - The yoyo team of national 2 and our league. Brady brothers are reunited. Is that enough to send them back up? Usually quite consistent but their pitch is an horrendous bog. Has this been sorted as its definitely a leveller for travelling opposition. Potentially title winners with their financial backers.

Heath - Huge pack and strong go forward from their back row. This paired with the trusty Johnson and some solid backs could finally beat their best finish of 2nd. Heath are a potential title favourite.

Ilkley - Some superb backs, particularly the fullback. Haven't seen any signings, but still time to come. Influential captain who makes them tick. I'm guessing they'll compete but end up mid table comfortably.

Kendal - Unknown opposition but have made some good signings. Moir from Alwnick will definitely give them plenty of opportunities for 3s. Plenty of their players in the Cumbria squad but didn't manage to beat anyone except a poor Durham team. Think they'll struggle.

Middlesbrough - Tough promotion year. Didn't run away with it. Went down to the last game. No news on any new signings. But player coach seems to be guiding them in the right direction. Can see them struggling against better opponents in this league. Relegation?

Pentrih - Plastic pitch and mid table last year in the West. Not many players in the county side. Not got much to go on but plenty of BP last season which could help them. I predict lower end of the table.

Sandal - Jekyll & Hyde of last season. Not quite sure what was going on there? Their better players seemingly unavailable for away trips which resulted in some heavy, heavy losses. Unsure what will happen this year. I think lower end of the table.

York - A solid team all round and despite the claim of no match fees seem to keep attracting quality players. If they keep their team from last year and don't bottle the tougher games I can see them up near the top. Their scrum half is vital to them doing well, runs the game is very dangerous going forward. Top 4 for York.

[BishBashBosh]

Top Four

Gate-York-Heath-Hudds (not sure on order, but hoping for Gate to be top).

Surprise team - Middlesborough

Think it will go down to the last game for the top spot and the bottom

[Kellythorpe]

Hudds - which team is that - BishBB?

[BishBashBosh]

The one playing in NW1 

[Bin Juice]

Any news on preseason friendlies?

Driff to my knowledge have played 2.

Boro got beat by Percy Park.

Kendal must've beaten Ryton?

Ilkley trounced by Manchester...

Alwnick have Morpeth and Northern next week or so. Could be a good test for them.

Blaydon play Scarborough away next week...

Don't know about York, but a lot of signings - especially Selby lads. Ca£h being an incentive I'd imagine...

Heath must've beat Rochdale?

York, Penrith, Sandal, Cleckheaton and Harrogate yet to play or announce any.

Just thought I'd see how preseason fixtures are going and try get some discussion going!

[gateprop]

Any news on preseason friendlies?

Driff to my knowledge have played 2.

Boro got beat by Percy Park.

Kendal must've beaten Ryton?

Ilkley trounced by Manchester...

Alwnick have Morpeth and Northern next week or so. Could be a good test for them.

Blaydon play Scarborough away next week...

Don't know about York, but a lot of signings - especially Selby lads. Ca£h being an incentive I'd imagine...

Heath must've beat Rochdale?

York, Penrith, Sandal, Cleckheaton and Harrogate yet to play or announce any.

Just thought I'd see how preseason fixtures are going and try get some discussion going!

York pulled out of a friendly against Otley today. Harrogate have Leeds Tykes, Yarnbury and Darlington MP coming up.

[Differ Lid]

Driffield played Ionians away, scoreline not ideal, but it was a good competitive match throughout with some new faces and young lads in the side for the Woldsmen. Played some good rugby. A good test, giving set piece and strike moves a good work through. 

Then played Bridlington in a stop start game that was frustrating to watch. A good win and some good tries scored, but wasn't the type of preseason game which showed what the squad has been working on during preseason. Just a good physical test.

Week off this weekend before playing Pocklington.

I heard York were struggling for availability at training and for the game. Maybe ££ isnt paid for friendlies or the less cynical view would be a Saturday in August making it difficult to get a squad together.

[BishBashBosh]

Gate have Leeds Beckett this Wed
Yarnbury the following Thursday
DMP for the CPM memorial game on Sat 30th

[DesperateDan]

Any news on preseason friendlies?

Driff to my knowledge have played 2.

Boro got beat by Percy Park.

Kendal must've beaten Ryton?

Ilkley trounced by Manchester...

Alwnick have Morpeth and Northern next week or so. Could be a good test for them.

Blaydon play Scarborough away next week...

Don't know about York, but a lot of signings - especially Selby lads. Ca£h being an incentive I'd imagine...

Heath must've beat Rochdale?

York, Penrith, Sandal, Cleckheaton and Harrogate yet to play or announce any.

Just thought I'd see how preseason fixtures are going and try get some discussion going!

Rochdale 7-24 Heath