Sat 20.09.25

[Differ Lid]

Cleckheaton vs Alnwick

Things don't get much easier for Cleckheaton, and think Alnwick will be looking forward to this one.
Alnwick Win

Harrogate vs Blaydon

Tough one to call, Harrogate will be looking to bounce back and Blaydon off the back of a high scoring game. I would normally think Harrogate should edge any team at home, but have a feeling Blaydon (if they are full strength) will get the result
Blaydon Win

Heath vs Middlesbrough

After watching Middlesbrough last week I think they will compete well at the lineout and that's potentially the most they can look forward to here.
Heath Win

Ilkley vs Sandal

Ilkley will continue the flying start to the season and Sandal will be very worried after this.
Ilkley Win

York vs Kendal

The news that Dec Cusack has gone to Hull as head coach was a surprise, particularly as he was heading up Yorks Strength in Depth this season. Surely this is the weekend that they kick on and start the season. The new signings might start to regret some decisions otherwise.
York Win

Driffield vs Penrith

2 teams who have had the perfect start, and one of them will have to slip up here. Don't know a great deal about Penrith, but last weekends result is certainly more of a statement than the Cleck Win. Going with home advantage following the monster bus trip.
Driffield Win

[Rugby Badger]

Cleckheaton V Alnwick
Cleckheaton look to be in massive trouble this season, it looks like they have just lost too many players and not just any players but key players! Alnwick with strong start to the season so this will be a comfortable win for Alnwick.

Harrogate v Blaydon
Difficult game to call this. Harrogate should be strong on home turf. Blaydon had a massive win last week although was that because they were good or were the opposition just poor? Going for Harrogate to edge it in a close one.

Heath v Middlesbrough
Heath started the season as expected in dominant fashion. Middlesbrough have been competitive but probably found this league is a significant step up. Heath to win comfortably.

Ilkley v Sandal
Ilkley started the season strongly and when there full backline is fit it's probably the best in the league. Looks like Sandal have continued the struggles from the 2nd half of last season. Ilkley for the 5 point win.

York v Kendal
York by their own standards have had a pretty slow start to the season. Kendal still a bit of an unknown but haven't picked up a win yet. Going for York to finally get a victory on the board.

Driffield v Penrith
Tough one to call as both sides have 2 victories each from 2 games. Driffield with the home advantage makes me think they will edge this.

[Kellythorpe]

Alnwick to Beat Cleck and receive 5 points,
Harrogate will surely win at home v Blaydon but close.
Heath to get 5 points v M'boro
Ilkley started well and to continue v Sandal. 5 points
York to get off at last v Kendal
Driff v Penrith. This is shot in the dark as no nothing about P. But good win last week for them and a weak Driff selection makes it a very tight home win.

[Bin Juice]

Cleckheaton vs Alnwick
Can see this being another hammering for Cleckheaton if Alnwick are full strength.
Alwnick

Harrogate vs Blaydon
Weather to be a leveller here, heavy rain forecast. Can see a very close game here and Harrogate not getting it all their own way.
Blaydon just.

Heath vs Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough to be competitive but Heath took take full points and Middlesbrough leave empty handed.
Heath

Ilkley vs Sandal
This looks like Ilkley will be racking up a lot of points here and Sandal to go September without a win.
Ilkley

York vs Kendal
I think York will get the better of Kendal here. Another close game for me. But York to pull through.
York

Driffield vs Penrith
Surprised by Penrith's 2 victories but that to end here.
Driffield

[upfront]

Cleckheaton V Alnwick - Alnwick win

Harrogate v Blaydon - Harrogate win

Heath v Middlesbrough - Heath win

Ilkley v Sandal - Ilkley win

York v Kendal - York win

Driffield v Penrith - Driffield win

[Pristine Shorts]

Cleckheaton v Alnwick - this could be a further indication that Cleck are struggling. It's a bit of a schlepp for Alnwick, but they're used to it. Away win.

Driffield v Penrith - this should show if Penrith's progress to date is a flash in the pan. Driff are usually very solid at home and I take them to squeeze a narrow win this afternoon.

Harrogate v Blaydon - I reckon 'gate's pitch will be a quagmire today, which won't suit the plastic fantastics one bit. A ground out home win.

Heath v Middlesbrough - can't see the Heavies giving ground here, with the conditions right up their Strasse. Fairly comfortable home win.

Ilkley v Sandal - the conditions will hardly suit Ilkley's strengths, but I think they'll have enough to add another win to their impressive start to the season.

York v Kendal - I agree with the above comments, but only because York are at home. Narrow win for York.

[oldtimerugby]

Cleckheaton v Alnwick - Alnwick to pile the misery on Cleckheaton. Alnwick by 20+

Driffield v Penrith - Penrith have started well with two good results. However, Driff are solid on their home patch. Close game but Driff by a few.

Harrogate v Blaydon - rain in North Yorkshire forecast, Harrogates big but mobile pack should see them home.

Heath v Middlesbrough - Heath heavies to trundle on with a routine home win.

Ilkley v Sandal - can see this being a tight game but Sandla aren't the same team as the last few years. Home win.

York v Kendal - battle of two very good 10s in Moir and Shackleton. Backing the latter to steer his troops home on their own patch.

[oldtimerugby]

Couple of surprise results in Kendal  and Penrith who have both started the campaign very well. Surprised to see York struggling after a few very positive seasons. Looks like Cleckheaton are in for a long hard season.

[Differ Lid]

The Driffield game today showed me that Penrith do the basics very well. Use the heavy forwards in and around the ruck well with a 10 who controls territory. The conditions either suited their style very well, or they played the conditions perfectly.

Driffield tried to play to much and to go wide to early, given the greasy ball and rain all game it didn't work out.
Penrith scored 2 quick tries whilst Driffield down to 14 and then saw the game out from that point.
By no means a disaster, the better team on the day won.

[Pristine Shorts]

Cleck's woes continue.

Penrith's success shows their current form is not a flash in the pan.

Harrogate scrape home, as predicted.

Heath looking as strong as ever.

Ilkley improved as the game went on. Their backs made the most of the bad weather.

Not looking good for York these days.