Sat 13/09/25

[Rugby Badger]

Alnwick v York
Alnwick picked up a good win away from home last week and will be looking for another one at home. York slipping up at Ilkley away and will be wanting to bounce back here for their top 4 aspirations. Going for an Alnwick win with home advantage.

Blaydon v Cleckheaton
Disappointing home defeat last week on the plastic pitch for Blaydon but think they will bounce back here as Cleckheaton look like they have lost too many players and just do not look like the same team as last season. Comfortable home win.

Kendal v Ilkley
Still don't know much about Kendal but looked like they put up a good fight against Heath last week. Ilkley with a brilliant win at home against York and I'm backing them just no nick this one. Ilkley in a close one.

Penrith v Harrogate
Penrith with a good win on the road last week although it wasn't against the Cleck team of old it was still a good win. Harrogate seeing off Middlesbrough in a closer game than most people expected. Going for  a Harrogate 5 point win here.

Sandal v Heath
Sandal got a bit of a tonking at Driffield and this is probably one of the worse fixtures they could have to back that up. Heath had a good win on the road last week and can only see this game finishing with 5 points to Heath.

Middlesbrough v Driffield
Middlesbrough will be buoyed by the fact they ran Harrogate quite close last Saturday but this league is a significant step up from the one below. Driffield with a fantastic win against Sandal and can see them edging this one but Middlesbrough will again put up a fight!

[Differ Lid]

Can't disagree with Rugby Badger

Alnwick vs York

Alnwick got off to a brilliant start in the road to Blaydon. Blaydon look stronger than last season so think that's a big result. York with the opposite, lots of new faces not clicking together, but you know they will come good. Unfortunately Alnwick away isn't the best game for a bounce back.
Alnwick Win

Blaydon vs Cleckheaton

Blaydon have a stronger side out this week. Although Cleckheaton seemed to have the beating of Blaydon in recent seasons I feel this will be a tough day at the office for Cleck.
Blaydon Win

Kendal vs Ilkley

2 home games in a row has to be a dream scenario for any team in a new league. Heath and Ilkley are far from ideal however.
Ilkley regularly hit and miss so will be keen to show that last weekend wasn't just one of the few high points, and build some consistency this weekend. I think they will go well.
Ilkley Win

Penrith vs Harrogate

A good start last weekend for Penrith, Cleckheaton has historically been one of the toughest away trips in the league. Harrogate know how to get results and get the job done. A tight game, but Harrogate win and a bonus point or 2 for Penrith
Harrogate Win

Sandal Vs Heath

Probably to early to call a relegation scrap for Sandal, but on last weeks viewing they need some players to come back into the side to give them so go forward and fire power
Heath Win

Middlesbrough vs Driffield

Tough test for the Woldsmen, last weekend was a very respectable result away at Harrogate last week. I think this will be a different game to the Sandal match last week for Driffield, but think they should get the job done
Driffield Win

[Bin Juice]

Alnwick v York
Alnwick outscored Blaydon last week and made them pay with their counter attacking rugby. Alnwick's 13 went off with a nasty looking injury and he really gets them go forward! York will be looking to bounce back, but can't see that happening here despite Robson being absent.
Alnwick

Blaydon v Cleckheaton
Cleckheaton shipping that many points at home is a real sign of the struggles they will be facing this year, if players aren't back from injury or new faces in. Blaydon should score plenty of trys with a stronger team out this week.
Blaydon

Kendal v Ilkley

Ilkley hammering York last week should take them into this week full of confidence. Can see this being a tightly contested match with both teams securing try scoring bonus points.
Ilkley just

Penrith v Harrogate
Even though Penrith beat Cleckheaton last week, I am unsure if it is a representation of Penrith playing well. Harrogate had some problems last week with Boro, but can see them ironed out this week and a win on the road.
Harrogate

Sandal v Heath
Heath to inflict another heavy defeat to Sandal. Heath seem to have a solid team out again this week. One way traffic, unless Sandal have some players who don't like to travel...
Heath

Middlesbrough v Driffield
Middlesbrough surprised me last week with their score against Harrogate. I think again it will be close. Boro seem to have a few of their better players returning to the starting line-up which could cause Driffield problems. Driffield to have enough.
Driffield

[Kellythorpe]

A v Y. Alnwick at home I think
B v C. Surely Blaydon at home
K v I. I know nothing of Kendal, so will rely on Ilkley to do the business
P v H. Again Penrith not known, so take Harrogate.
S v H. Must be Heath, having seen Sandal last week
M v D. It's a long time since Driff played Boro. Will be a test for young woldsmen and one of two old ones!

[oldtimerugby]

Alnwick v York
Alnwick at home is always a tough proposition for any team. On paper, York don't look to be as strong this year and therefore going for a 5 point home win.

Blaydon v Cleckheaton
Blaydon were actively recruiting at the end of last season and look to have strengthened well. Cleck on the other hand look a far cry from the tough side from last season. Comfortable home win.

Kendal v Ilkley

Don't know much about Kendal but it's a long journey for Ilkley which will have some effect. However, Ilkley are generally a solid side and I'm backing them to sneak home in this one.

Penrith v Harrogate
Can't see anything other than a Harrogate win. Their big pack and exciting backs could see them rack up a good few points. 5 point away win.

Sandal v Heath
Heath to have too much for Sandal even on the slope where the heavy boys may find it hard going.

Middlesbrough v Driffield
Middlesbrough made a good impression last week but I feel the step up and consistently playing at R1 may be a tough ask. Driff are a seasoned side at this level and should come away with the points.

[upfront]

Alnwick v York - York win

Blaydon v Cleckheaton - Blaydon win

Kendal v Ilkley - Ilkley win

Penrith v Harrogate - Harrogate win

Sandal v Heath - Heath win

Middlesbrough v Driffield - Driffield win

[Pristine Shorts]

Could have sworn I have already posted, but it seems to have disappeared !

Alnwick v York - if York have the same side out as last week, Alnwick by a lot. Alnwick anyway.

Blaydon v Cleck - can't see Cleck getting anything out of this. Comfortable home win.

Kendal v Ilkley - the Dalesmen traditionally do well at Kendal. A repeat of last week's performance will keep up that tradition. Away win.

Penrith v Harrogate - a stiff test for Penrith. I think they'll get a point, but it won't be for winning.

Sandal v Heath - the Wakey lads seem to be suffering a la Cleck. Another win for 'alifax.

Middlesboro v Driffield - close, but another win for the Woldsmen.

[Differ Lid]

Tough game to judge today.

Wind straight down the pitch which Driffield played head on first half.

A couple of easy tries gave Driffield a fairly simple 3-14 head start without having to try very hard.

Middlesbrough then woke up and the 12 made a fairly solid impact scoring a good try.
The Middlesbrough left wing who was the other serious attacking threat scored a couple of brilliant tries to give them a narrow half time advantage 20-19

It took almost 25 minutes of the second half for anyone to score again. Middlesbrough with 2 quick yellow cards and an injured flyhalf gave the Woldsmen the advantage and they took it.

The last 10 minutes was all Driffield.

Middlesbrough made a mess of the lineout (the 8 was outstanding in the lines) and they slowed the ruck at every opportunity.

It was a scrappy and messy game throughout. Driffield will be happy to come against with the win. And a solid 5 points in a game that never really seemed to get going.

[Bin Juice]

Some interesting results.

Didn't see Penrith getting a result against Harrogate, but fair play to them.

Cleckheaton seemingly hammered by Blaydon in a one sided game. They look to be in for a really long season.

Driffield not as comfortable as they'd have liked. Middlesbrough more dangerous than I suspect?

Having watched the highlights of Sandal vs Heath. There were a significant amount of trys from deep for Heath. With their 8 making busts a lot of the time. They look to be in good form.

Alnwick pulled out a good a victory with a few missing. York need a win this weekend or it's going to be a terrible month.

A good game at Kendal for Ilkley. Not sure what to read from this but should be clearer after Ilkley's next game.

[BishBashBosh]

Boro 12 and 14 are very good

12/captain gets over the gainline every carry and the 14 scores for fun, big physical ballcarrier

I reckon squad depth will be their biggest problem