Early season predictions

[oldtimerugby]

It has been an interesting start to R2NE with a couple of stand out teams at the top remaining unbeaten (plus Wetherby) whilst two still remain winless. Whilst it is very early to be reading into promotion and relegation favourites it seems there is a theme to the league already.

Scarborough have been and seemingly remain favourites to secure top spot this year. It seems they have built a strong squad of players which is what is required to get out of this tough and competitive league. It is difficult not to mention the influence of their overseas contingent and whilst they may not have the allure of names seen at Bradford Salem they are clearly crucial to their promotion push. They have a very good core group of players and providing they can stay injury free, they should have what it takes to get out of this league as winners.

Pocklington have been the surprise package so far and also remain unbeaten after securing promotion back to this level last season. It seems from the reports that they have a big solid pack and are well organised, a key staple of what is required at this level. It remains to be seen whether they can sustain this for the season but with 5 wins already, you would expect them to be in the mix for the play off spots come the end of the season. It was a bit of a surprise to see them run so close by Selby and we are sure to see the true test of their ambition this weekend v Scabs.

Wetherby also remain unbeaten having played a game less after seeing a match abandoned vs Moortown. They have a habit of grinding out results and aren't the biggest scoring team and this may count for something later in the season. I expect them to be in the mix for the play-off places but I am not sure they have got enough to get themselves promoted just yet.

Old Brods have started well with 4 wins from 5, losing their only game to a strong Pock outfit. They may have had a little bit of an easier start than some other teams, playing four teams who are currently sitting in the lower echelons of the league. However, make no mistakes, they will be a competitive outfit and ran Pock very close on their own cabbage patch.

Morley have perhaps been the other surprise package after a very strong and competitive season last year, they seem to have dropped off a little this. Numerous comments regarding their set-piece fragility remain and having attended a number of matches this season, I can see improvements being made. I also understand (like other clubs) they have a very long injury list with as many as fifteen players being out, some of which you would expect to see on the team sheet week in and week out. You would think with their recruitment that they would still have promotion aspirations and will be there or there abouts come the end of the season.

Mid-table is any ones gamble and where we often see that anyone is capable of beating any team in the league on their day. Malton are always a solid outfit and the same can be said for Pontefract with both causing 'upsets' over the last few seasons. Selby seem to be well in that mid-table mix too and I understand they have also suffered with a long injury list at the start of the season. Moortown can never be written off either, especially at home, where it is never a nice atmosphere for travelling teams. I don't think they quite have the forwards to trouble to higher end of the table but will finish in a solid mid-table position.

At the other end of the table it is a story of much the same with Crocs and Doncaster still seeking their first wins. Crocs seem to be running teams very close each week but not quite getting across the line and the result against Scarbs will have shocked a few. I don't know a great deal about Doncaster this season but their team looks quite different on paper from the one we have seen for the previous seasons which suggests a rebuild and as we all know, this can take some time. However, after getting the reprieve from relegation this season they are still my favourites to finish bottom of the pile and perhaps a season or two at Y1 wouldn't be the worst if they are a team in transition. I expect that Salem' results will pick up soon, particularly if the rumours are true that their centre combination from last season are back for another crack.

Season fatiugue, weather, injuries and a whole manner of things still have a significant part to play in all of this and only time will tell, however, here is my early season table prediction come the end of the season:


Scarborough
Wetherby
Morley
Pocklington
Old Brods
Selby
Bradford Salem
Malton & Norton
Pontefract
Moortown
Old Crocs
Doncaster Phoenix

[BigBadWolf69]

Interesting post and hopefully encourages conversation. But I'm not entirely sure I share your opinion on Scarborough just yet.

They similar to Brods, have had a relatively easy start. Playing 3 of the bottom teams, a Morley Side missing 6/7 starters. I know they can only beat what is infront of them, but I think this weekend will give us an idea of where they are truly at.

[backrowbandit]

The next three matches will be telling with lots of top teams playing each other.

No team will go unbeaten this season.

I'll respond for fully to the topic later this week.