Saturday 06/09/25

[Differ Lid]

Week 1 predictions always prove difficult and don't normally show us very much but let's get started

Blaydon vs Alnwick

Both sides appear to have had some decent preseason fixtures, and not much news about incoming and outgoings from Alnwick. 
But Blaydon announcing a few recently. Blaydon to edge it at home.
Blaydon Win

Cleckheaton vs Penrith

A game that I don't think will tell us much from the result. Cleckheaton notoriously difficult at home, and Penrith first hit out in North East league. But the names missing from Cleckheaton this season could play a big part. Home advantage in a difficult game to call
Cleckheaton Win

Harrogate vs Middlesbrough
 
Team Down vs Team up, don't think a bigger test of Middlesborough credentials than this. Harrogate clearly going to be targeting a statement win.
Harrogate Win

Ilkley vs York

Ilkley have been quiet over preseason so not much to know about them going into a new year. York have a few new faces in the door who have proved themselves at this level or higher. History says York Win, however I'm not sure.
Ilkley Win

Kendal vs Heath

Kendal have strengthen, and Heath appear much the same. Which should be enough for Heath to get the win.
Heath Win

Driffield vs Sandal

Always a great game between the 2 teams, and both will be looking to improve on last season's disappointing finishing positions. Sandal have shown over the last few seasons they either start strong and it tails off or they start poorly and pick things up. going for a poor start this time out.
Driffield Win

[Kellythorpe]

Don't know much about some teams but will have a go!
B v A away win 1-4
C v P home win 5-0
H v M home win 5-0
I v Y home win 4-1
D v S home win 4-1
Based on last season and fortuneteller's globe.

[Bin Juice]

Blaydon vs Alnwick

North East derby to kick the season off. Blaydon have signed some front row players and if they can put out their best team I can see them getting the better of Alnwick on the plastic.
Blaydon.

Cleckheaton vs Penrith

Agree with Differ Lid. Difficult one to call. Cleckheaton are usually strong at home and even with their influential players gone or injured I still think they'll scrape a win over Penrith.
Cleckheaton.

Harrogate vs Middlesborough

Harrogate to run away with it in the second half. Predicting Boro to be in the game till about 30 to 40 minutes.
Harrogate.

Ilkley vs York
Ilkley are a very hot and cold team, better at home. York seem to have a solid squad and some good additions. York to win a scrappy game.
York.

Kendal vs Heath

Heath's pack to overpower Kendal and Johnson to kick them to death. High scoring game.
Heath.

Driffield vs Sandal
Depends what Sandal team shows up at Driffield. If it is anything like the teams they put out away from home at the back end of the season I can see Driffield scoring a lot of points.
Driffield.

Looking forward to the first set of results!

[Pristine Shorts]

Morning, all...

Blaydon v Alnwick - home win. Based on last year's creaky start for the visitors, Blaydon's 'investments' and that awful pitch.

Cleckheaton v Penrith - no idea really. Cleck appear to be weaker than last season, but Penrith are an unknown quantity. Home win, I suppose then.

Driffield v Sandal - should be a good game, but a substantial home win I feel.

Harrogate v Middlesborough - nailed on home win as the new boys will find this league tough from day one.

Ilkley v York - been a quiet close season at Stack's Field. the Dalesmen lost just the one player - to York for some reason - and have allegedly recruited a couple. Narrow home win.

Kendal v Heath - away win for the 'alifax 'eavies. Business as usual in their push for promotion.

[Rugby Badger]

Blaydon v Alnwick
Both teams look to have quite strong teams out so going for Alnwick in a close one.

Cleckheaton v Penrith
Piper and Hainsworth are both massive losses to Cleck but they are at home and it's such a difficult place for away teams to go. Don't know much about Penrith so going for a close home win.

Driffield v Sandal
Driffield probably had a disappointing season last year by their standard and will be looking to bounce back. Sandal started strong last season but then had a terrible 2nd half to season. Driffield in a close one.

Harrogate v Middlesbrough
Harrogate will be one of promotion favourites this season and Middlesbrough will see how big of a step up it is into this league from the divisions below. Harrogate to win comfortably.

Ilkley v York
Ilkley are an odd team, on their day can beat anyone but on their off day can lose to anyone. York look to have strengthened and will be looking for a top of the table finish. Going for Ilkley in a close one here - On a side note seen on the Ilkley Facebook page the 2nd team game against York has been cancelled because York couldn't raise a team, surely that's not a good look on the 1st game of the season?

Kendal v Heath
Don't know much about Kendal but know Heath will be there or there abouts at the top of the table come the end of the season. Heath to get a 5 point win.

[upfront]

Blaydon v Alnwick - Alnwick win

Cleckheaton v Penrith - Penrith win

Driffield v Sandal - Driffield win

Harrogate v Middlesborough - Harrogate win

Ilkley v York - York win

Kendal v Heath - Heath win

[Pristine Shorts]

Ilkley 54.31 York. Try-fest, surprisingly. The York side looked very young.

[BishBashBosh]

Gate 35 - Boro 26

Plenty of work ons....

Boro 14 and 12 great carriers

[Differ Lid]

Great opening day result for Driffield, but don't think it's one to get carried away with.
Sandal missing plenty of names from last season, both Adams Brothers left the backline lacking, Dec Thompson getting injured early doors didn't help the lineout or attack.

However Driffield defended brilliantly and left Sandal scrambling for attacking options. However any half chances in attack and Driffield seemed to break the line, and whenever they got the ball into the wider channels they looked dangerous and a real threat scoring some good tries.

Certainly a very positive start for the Woldsmen.

Some interesting results, but how much can actually be taken from any of them!

[Kellythorpe]

Yes a good win for Driffield. Two old stagers in Boreman and Dervy helping out with unavailabilities and injuries and some good new youngsters making excellent contributions. Good defence by Driff, helped by Sandal continually going up the middle rather than stretching the attack. A bigger victory margin than I expected.

[Dark Arts Advocate]

It looks like its going to be a long season for all these semi pro's playing at York.

[Differ Lid]

It looks like its going to be a long season for all these semi pro's playing at York.

Any review of the game? Surely that's a game that would have some feedback on?

[Pristine Shorts]

Ilkley scored first relatively early on, but it was pretty even until
Half time. At one time, Ilkley were down to 13 men, but scored two converted tries.

York's No 8 had to go off and his side collapsed, though they did score the last two tries, so fair play to them.

They didn't send a second team and as I mentioned above, the 15 on the field at the end of the game looked like Colts.