Sat 05/04/25 - Final League Games

[Rugby Badger]

With a big day ahead on Saturday I thought I would get the predictions going early:

Blaydon v Selby
A massive game at the foot of the table with the winner of this likely to survive the drop (Obvs depending that Percy Park don't win). Both teams have had a pretty good 2nd half of the year so both will be confident. I'm just edging towards Blaydon with home advantage and their new recruits on board, Blaydon to secure 5 point win and avoid the drop.

Cleckheaton v Scunthorpe
Another huge game, well for Scunhorpe anyway. If you asked Scunthorpe at the start of the season to pick a fixture they would have to play and win to win the league I doubt Cleckheaton away would have been too high on the list as it's such a difficult place to go, having said that Cleckheaton have struggled lately and to me it's no coincidence they started to struggle since their star 13 Hainsworth went down with an injury so this game i'm backing Scunthorpe to seal the victory and tie up the league for a well deserved promotion. Hudds will be hoping their old captain Dickie Piper can do them a favour however.

Heath v Ilkley
One of the few games that doesn't really mean anything this weekend. Heath very strong at home, Ilkley been on the up lately so still should be an entertaining game. Feel the Heath forwards will be too strong and secure a 5 point victory for the West Vale men.

Huddersfield v Sandal
Huddersfield not in control of their own destiny just need to do their part and get a 5 point victory and hope for an upset from Cleckheaton. Sandal now safe from relegation after victory a few week ago will be hoping to finish the season strong. Can't see anything other than a 5 point victory from Huddersfield but still don't think it will be enough to win the league and secure promotion.

York v Alnwick
Another game that doesn't really mean anything for the league but still should be an entertaining game with 4th place hosting 5th place. Going for a York victory with home advantage but only just and Alnwick to leave with at least 1 losing bonus point.

Driffield v Percy Park
Driffield already safe and not much to play for but a totally different case for Percy Park however. Blaydon & Percy Park are on the same points so I believe if they both win as long as Percy Park match the Blaydon result whether it's 4 points or 5 points I think Percy Park will stay up as they will have 1 more victory than Blaydon across the season. Still a big ask away at Driffield and I feel they will just fall short with Driffield getting the victory here.

[Differ Lid]

Don't think I can disagree with much from Rugby Badger.
Looking at the relegation scrap and the reprieve places, a win for Selby obviously guarantees safety, a win for Percy Park would guarantee either Safety or the final reprieve place. A 4-point win for Blaydon would mathematically guarantee the reprieve place regardless of what happens at Kelleythorpe or elsewhere in the country.
 So, they all have it in their own hands. Losing with a couple of bonus points could also see any of them teams safe, but they would be reliant on other teams around the country losing. 

Blaydon vs Selby
This should be a brilliant game of rugby to watch, with a cup final feel to it. Both sides throwing everything at the win. Blaydon at home with the DMP boys are going to be a big ask for Selby. Although they haven't been the force at home of previous year, everyone in the league knows how tough it is to challenge them on the plastic pitch for the first time, look at Percy Park losing 33-0 before the DMP lads joined. Think Selby will find it out for themselves on Saturday, although they will go down (potentially not) swinging and picking up a couple of bonus points.
Blaydon Win (And Safety)

Cleckheaton Vs Scunthorpe
Agree this wouldn't be the game that any side would pick for a must win promotion game. Cleckheatons results lately haven't been great and agree the loss of Hainsworth will play a massive part in that. However, if one side in this league will be fired up to beat the league leaders and spoil the party it must be Cleckheaton, that being said, I don't think it will happen
Scunthorpe Win (And Promotion)

Heath vs Ilkley
Ilkley really impressed me last time out, they were clinical in attack and defiant in defence. However, although I do feel they will have enough to score some points against Heath, I don't think the defiant defence will be enough to stop the bulldozers for 80 minutes.
Heath Win

Huddersfield Vs Sandal
To start the afternoon knowing that even if you win it might not be enough has to be a tough place to be. But you wouldn't want to be Sandal travelling to Huddersfield when your side has nothing left to play for.
Huddersfield big win

York Vs Alnwick
Slow start to the season for Alniwck and a run of great results sees them sitting comfortably, however an 8-game home unbeaten run has been key, so I don't see them getting anything from this on the road.
York Win

Driffield Vs Percy Park
A win for Percy Park and they are safe, regardless of what happens at Blaydon. That's big motivation travelling to the Wolds. A mixed bag of results for Percy Park throughout the season probably shows that when full strength they are good enough, but the depth has been lacking. This is a game that everyone will no doubt be making themselves available for.
Driffield must understand that and come out firing. It's the annual Charity Shirt day, 4 senior sides at home and the biggest sponsorship day of the year that will ensure that the club is incredibly busy with a large crowd, I'm sure should get the side fired up for this one.
Driffield Win

[Rugby Badger]

Don't think I can disagree with much from Rugby Badger.
Looking at the relegation scrap and the reprieve places, a win for Selby obviously guarantees safety, a win for Percy Park would guarantee either Safety or the final reprieve place. A 4-point win for Blaydon would mathematically guarantee the reprieve place regardless of what happens at Kelleythorpe or elsewhere in the country.
 So, they all have it in their own hands. Losing with a couple of bonus points could also see any of them teams safe, but they would be reliant on other teams around the country losing. 

Blaydon vs Selby
This should be a brilliant game of rugby to watch, with a cup final feel to it. Both sides throwing everything at the win. Blaydon at home with the DMP boys are going to be a big ask for Selby. Although they haven't been the force at home of previous year, everyone in the league knows how tough it is to challenge them on the plastic pitch for the first time, look at Percy Park losing 33-0 before the DMP lads joined. Think Selby will find it out for themselves on Saturday, although they will go down (potentially not) swinging and picking up a couple of bonus points.
Blaydon Win (And Safety)

Cleckheaton Vs Scunthorpe
Agree this wouldn't be the game that any side would pick for a must win promotion game. Cleckheatons results lately haven't been great and agree the loss of Hainsworth will play a massive part in that. However, if one side in this league will be fired up to beat the league leaders and spoil the party it must be Cleckheaton, that being said, I don't think it will happen
Scunthorpe Win (And Promotion)

Heath vs Ilkley
Ilkley really impressed me last time out, they were clinical in attack and defiant in defence. However, although I do feel they will have enough to score some points against Heath, I don't think the defiant defence will be enough to stop the bulldozers for 80 minutes.
Heath Win

Huddersfield Vs Sandal
To start the afternoon knowing that even if you win it might not be enough has to be a tough place to be. But you wouldn't want to be Sandal travelling to Huddersfield when your side has nothing left to play for.
Huddersfield big win

York Vs Alnwick
Slow start to the season for Alniwck and a run of great results sees them sitting comfortably, however an 8-game home unbeaten run has been key, so I don't see them getting anything from this on the road.
York Win

Driffield Vs Percy Park
A win for Percy Park and they are safe, regardless of what happens at Blaydon. That's big motivation travelling to the Wolds. A mixed bag of results for Percy Park throughout the season probably shows that when full strength they are good enough, but the depth has been lacking. This is a game that everyone will no doubt be making themselves available for.
Driffield must understand that and come out firing. It's the annual Charity Shirt day, 4 senior sides at home and the biggest sponsorship day of the year that will ensure that the club is incredibly busy with a large crowd, I'm sure should get the side fired up for this one.
Driffield Win

Is it just 1 team that goes down this season Differ? I always thought it was 2

[Differ Lid]

2 do go down, but the best placed second from bottom side across the 6 regional 1 leagues will get a reprieve place.
Currently Percy Park sit in the reprieve place. So if any of the teams in our league win on Saturday and finish 2nd bottom then they will stay up.

[Kellythorpe]

Wine for Blaydon, Scunthorpe, York, Heath, Huddersfield and Driffield. Scunthorpe therefore the champions.

[Kellythorpe]

Wins for Scunny and wine!

[Pristine Shorts]

Lovely day for it....

Blaydon v Selby - I'm afraid the imports will win it for the fantastic plastics, sending Selby down.

Cleckheaton v Scunthorpe - the Moorenders will put up a fight, but Scunny will get a four pointer to take the title.

Driffield v Percy Park - two great Clubs. Driff safe now, but don't want to lose at home. PP desperate to stay up and I hope they do, even if it's as best runner-up, or whatever. Home win, but two points for PP.

Heath v Ilkley - I don't think Heath ever got over the shock at losing the first match of the season at Stacks Field. Time for revenge today I fear, but at least one point to Ilkley, but who knows ? Could be a points fest - Ilkley's backs were on fire last time out.

Huddersfield v Sandal - despite last week's come-back performance, I can't see Sandal getting much from this game. Hudds have something to fight for and I'd rather be playing Sandal at home than Cleck away.

York v Alnwick - home advantage, I suppose, so York, but not by many and at least one point for Alnwick.

[Dark Arts Advocate]

MOTD Blaydon v Selby
This could be right down to the wire. Selby did more than enough to beat York last time out and I have no doubt the deluge an hour before the game was enough to edge its York's way.
I think if the Selby pack can get parity in possession then any outcome is possible. Without it a Blaydon home win is on the cards. Feel nervous for all those taking part and you would want it to be in your own hands. So bring it on!

Cleck v Scunthorpe
As mentioned by others under normal circumstances no one would fancy having to win at Cleck on the last game of the season, to achieve promotion. But Cleck are probably on the beach awaiting the Yorkshire cup final in the distant future. So any carrying niggles or injuries can be forgiven for not playing today, which will make the task for Scunny a bit easier. A Scunny win and promotion.

Hudds v Sandal
A massacre of biblical proportions likely here, but not quite enough to ensure promotion for Hudds. Who knows with the latest restructuring etc!

Driffield v PP
Great to hear Driff are putting 4 senior teams out today. I wish I could say the same about York.
PP must win to stand any realistic chance of staying in the league. That may be just enough to shade this. But fully expect a close game and if Driff can put it together, freedom of Selby may be bestowed. Driff just.

Heath v Ilkley
Heath on their own allotment are too good for many in this league, including Ilkley. So I anticipate an open end of season game but a win for the honey monsters.

York v Alnwick
With the pre-match lunch sold out there will be a large home contingent at Clifton Park today. It will be an interesting encounter between two sides who are pretty evenly matched all over the park when all players are available. Like many York are not as strong as they were earlier in the season with some noticeable absentees. Hopefully rugby wins and all those attending are treated a good top of the ground rugby match to bring the league season to a close. Another close call with York shading it. 

[Differ Lid]

Well that has been a really competitive league season, Congratulations to Scunthorpe for coming out on top.
Losing Selby removes one of Driffield's closest away trips so from that perspective disappointing to lose them from the league along with Percy Park (not complaining about losing a north east trip)

Yesterday's game at Kelleythorpe was as to be expected. Percy Park fighting for their lives and for the first half Driffield looking like they were going through the motions. Percy Parks supporters were for the most part fantastic and very well supported. A group of younger lads shouting abuse at Driffield players from the balcony let them down. However it appeared to work against PP as the Woldsmen seemed to take great pride kicking 3 points with just minutes to play, taking the lead and silencing the balcony abuse.

Felt the result was a fair one, both sides had opportunities for other scores, but Park seemed to run out of steam for the last 10 minutes. They play a good brand of rugby and both games have been great to watch.

For yet another season the newly promoted sides have been relegated from NE1, the jump up still appears to be a big step.

Next season gaining Hull, Billingham or Harrogate will be interesting to see, along with Middlesbrough and potentially Rochdale (although imagine they will go west).

[Kellythorpe]

I agree with differlid, Driff just about deserved it. They started well but then fell off a few tackles to let PP take a decent lead. Driff gradually pulled back to 26 each, kicked a penalty to lead and then had to survive a spirited PP assault in an attempt to win the game. After a number of tackles on their line, a fantastic defensive tackle which won vital yards, followed by a penalty, lineout and kick to touch thwarted PP.
The abuse from the balcony did get out of hand, let's hope it doesn't continue when Driff go to PP next Saturday in the papa John cup!

[BroughtonRRR]

Congratulations to Scunthorpe on achieving promotion. They lead the table for most of the season and on balance, they deserve their reward. Hard luck to Huddersfield, who ran them mighty close, playing fast, open, attractive rugby. I enjoyed watching their threequarters, despite them beating us twice !!   

This has been a very competitive league both at the top and the bottom. It's great that so much was at stake for the final games of the season.

A big THANK YOU  for the friendly welcome which we received from all clubs this season. Also a word of thanks to the referees who continue to volunteer their time, despite some occasional unkind remarks from the touchlines.

Best wishes for your cup competitions !...lets hope that some Yorkshire teams will follow in the footsteps of Driffield and Heath, who are previous winners of the Papa Johns Cup