Sat 10th October

[backrowbandit]

Blaydon v Alnwick
A north east derby which should be a cracker. Will Blaydon be able to test the league favourites. I fancy an upset weekend and I'm going for a home win. Blaydon

Ilkley v Sandal
I don't think Ilkley will slip up at home, although Sandel will give it a good go. Ilkley

North Rib v York
A nice drive over into the Dales for the Minstermen. I think they will come back empty handed and North Rib will be flying high. Ribb

Hull v Scarborough.
This will be a huge test for Scarborough and I expect every other pundit will put Hull to win - and they will be massive favourites. Scarborough are disrupted again but I still back the boys to sneak a surprise win. Scarborough

Driffield v Scunthorpe
Driff will be desperate to get their season going. Two loses at the beginning means nothing and it can change with one good win. However if they lose at home again and go none from three there will be some concern. I can't see them losing. Driffield

Middlesbrough v Northern
Another near derby. Could be a ding dong affair but I'm going for a home win. Boro

[Bin Juice]

Blaydon vs Alnwick
Alwnick were strong last year and I presume they will be stronger this year. Can the young back line cause them problems on the plastic. I'd like to think so.
Blaydon just.

Ilkley vs Sandal
Ilkley surprised me last week with a huge scoreline against Scunthorpe. I can see this happening again.
Ilkley by a lot!

North Ribblesdale vs York
York yet to get a win and away from home again. Does that mean their new player coaches won't be available again? Either way Ribb to grind out a victory.
North Ribblesdale

Hull vs Scarborough
Not sure on this one. Hull were up at half time last week and threw it away. Scarborough could surprise them. But as ever BRB is getting the excuses in for availability issues. So I'll go with the home side.
Hull

Driffield vs Scunthorpe
Another home game for Driffield, should get something out of this game but I don't think it'll be a victory. Scunthorpe to win in a tight affair.
Scunthorpe

Middlesbrough vs Northern
Think Northern will get beat here. Boro good at home and Northern first away game.
Middlesbrough

[Kellythorpe]

Alnwick -7
Ilkley +7
NR -7
Hull -7
Driffield -7
Middlesbrough +7 

[Range]

Blaydon v Alnwick
Can't see past a five point win for Alnwick.Blaydon to finish empty handed.

Ilkley v Sandal
 Ilkley going to be up there all season. Sandal will make it a great competition but Ilkley will take the win.

North Rib v York
Ribb for the win, York to start worrying after 3 games.

Hull v Scarborough.
This will be a big test for Scarborough down in Hull during the Hull Fair week. Will the wheels of the bus get stolen or will Scarborough nick an away win. A definite clash of club approach as well. Scarborough to win with the last play.

Driffield v Scunthorpe
Big game here. I reckon a tight affair but Scunthorpe to come through with an away win.

Middlesbrough v Northern
Home advantage to prevail here and Middlesbrough to score a bonus point win.

[Pristine Shorts]

Blaydon v Alnwick - I suspect Alnwick will grind out another narrow away win, though on the plastic, Blaydon should do well and pick up a point or two.

Ilkley v Sandal - the Dalesmen surprised everyone last week ( including me ) with a comprehensive win. Sandal are a bit of a bogey side, especially at their place, but I expect Ilkley to win this one.

North Ribblesdale - York - a pivotal game for York. Lose this and there's trouble ahead. And I think they will. Ribb will be delighted !

Hull v Scarborough - Players versus Gentlemen - lovely - and the Players to take it, just.

Driffield v Scunthorpe - I'm sure after last week's mauling, Scunny will seize the initiative and bounce back with a narrow win.

Middlesbrough v Northern - home advantage the key here, plus more experience at this level, so a 'Boro win for me.

[Differ Lid]

Blaydon vs Alnwick
From the 1st 2 games and seeing both of these sides play I think it could be a tough afternoon for Blaydon. Certainly think they will score plenty of tries and get a bonus point, but think Alnwick will have too much.
Alnwick Win

Ilkley vs Sandak
Ilkley should run a mock here. Very impressive result last weekend will put confidence high, with home advantage.
Ilkley Win

North Ribb vs York
And can see Ribb being one of the toughest away trips of the season for most sides, and if York are missing the 2 rugby league lads they won't enjoy this one.
North Ribb Win

Hull vs Scarborough
Hull with a very respectable result last weekend, Scarborough will be looking to show the league credentials with a tough away game here.
Hull Win

Driffield Vs Scunthorpe
Both sides will be looking to produce something better than last weekend. Which I think could make this a bit of a dog fight and maybe not much of a spectacle. But home advantage should be the deciding factor
Driffield Win

Middlesbrough vs Northern
I think Northern have faced 2 of the bottom sides in the opening weeks. Whilst Middlesbrough have had a couple of hit and miss results. But at home and don't see them losing this one
Middlesbrough Win

[Eustace.L.Boots]

Blaydon vs Alnwick
Blaydon have started better than I expected but Alnwick still look like the most complete side in the league and have shown they can win in different ways. Blaydon will make it competitive, but I think Alnwick have too much overall.
Alnwick Win

Ilkley vs Sandal
Ilkley's response last week was significant following their embarrassing start at Scarborough. Sandal have started well, but Ilkley at home and closer to full strength should be a different proposition.
Ilkley Win

North Ribblesdale vs York
York have shown strength at scrum time, but not enough elsewhere yet to convince me
North Ribblesdale Win

Hull vs Scarborough
Scarborough have shown they can compete at this level. Such is the confidence that I've heard some of the coaching team are staying at home with the 2's.
Scarborough Win

Driffield vs Scunthorpe
Driffield have had a difficult start and with the current issue surrounding the coaching team they could be imploding early in the season. I think Scunthorpe will respond ok Saturday.
Scunthorpe Win

Middlesbrough vs Northern
Northern.... two from two. Middlesbrough were impressive against Scarborough however Scarborough were missing a significant number of players last week it seems. Difficult ones to predict.
Middlesbrough Win

[Bin Juice]

Driffield vs Scunthorpe
Driffield have had a difficult start and with the current issue surrounding the coaching team they could be imploding early in the season. I think Scunthorpe will respond ok Saturday.
Scunthorpe Win

Care to shed anymore light on the implosion or just fishing?

[Eustace.L.Boots]

Driffield vs Scunthorpe
Driffield have had a difficult start and with the current issue surrounding the coaching team they could be imploding early in the season. I think Scunthorpe will respond ok Saturday.
Scunthorpe Win

Care to shed anymore light on the implosion or just fishing?

From what I'm hearing there's been a fair bit of chatter around the coaching changes and whether everyone is entirely happy with how things have settled. Davies gone, Williams seemingly out of the picture as well, a different coaching group and a fairly rocky start. Driffield have gone from what look like a professional outfit with great results to a set up of locals (albeit one of them having some pedigree).

"Imploding" might be slightly dramatic but I don't think it's quite as settled behind the scenes as some might think. Happy for someone closer to Driffield to tell me otherwise...

[backrowbandit]

Blaydon   19 - 38 Alnwick   
Pretty much as expected. Alnwick very clearly favourites for the top spot.

Driffield 26 - 61 Scunthorpe
Ouch - that's a worry.
   
Hull 47 - 19 Scarborough   
Small margins cost Scarborough something from this match. But a good learning experience for this league. A bit more knowledge in the tank.

Ilkley 51 - 21 Sandal   
Again more or less what everyone expected.

Middlesbrough 24 - 38 Northern   
I think Scarborough are still kicking themselves for not doing better last week. Northern shown the way.

North Ribblesdale 33 - 31 York
That must have been a humdinger but I suspect York will be happy enough with 2 points.

[Differ Lid]

Driffield took an early lead and looked very good, for the 1st 10 minutes. Down to 13 men for 2 cheap yellow cards (not retreating and not releasing the ball) saw them ship 5 tries with men Off the field. That was the end of the contest.

The Woldsmen look a shadow of their former selves. The reports of unrest within the coaching group seem unfounded from the chat around the clubhouse. The balance hasn't been found just yet and is showing on the field. Conceding close to 150 points in 3 games is relegation material and something needs to change sharpish to turn the season around.

Injuries continue to plague the squad and having a knock on effect to the 2s, with last minute call ups today and another injury in the warmup.

But no excuses, they just aren't playing well enough.

[backrowbandit]

Fair and honest assessment but only 3 games in so no drama yet.

[Retired youngster]

Lose by 35 points to a relegated team from last year and ouch that's a worry but lose by 30 points to a relegated team and it's small margins.

[backrowbandit]

Hey...I'm not throwing stones.

Scarborough are a promoted side playing away from home and realistic about the difficult league we were entering. Read every post I've made on this. It will be tough until Christmas and Id be happy with 4th from bottom for the end of our first year.

I'm not comparing.... but Drif are established in this league, were playing at home and made no secret that they believed they were going to be up there for promotion. There is every chance they may still be....but the greater surprise is their start, not Scarborough's.

Let me know if I need to use smaller words...