Official West Hartlepool RFC

Rather have the hinges creakig than no hinges at all.

I reckon it's more likely West go up than Rovers go down. I reckon Aldwinians, Gateshead, York and (despite last Saturday's result) Carlisle will finish below Rovers.

On the other hand, West have opened up a nice little lead. Though I would expect them to lose 4 matches (Driff Away, Aspatria Away + 2 others) I reckon they will be there or there abouts.

I do think the league is weaker this year, no monied clubs, I think Aspatria and West will be up there in the end, with perhaps us if we manage to get, and keep key personnel fit, as well as find someone to kick goals.

Having said that; whoever wins would ahve to recruit heavily to stay in North 1.

Driff away stop being silly;-)

I can't remember the last time you lot won at our place? In fact have you ever?

Always a first time.
I think Wonderfish is basically correct in his assumptions although I would like to think we would lose no more than two games all season. That would probably bring automatic promotion.
The surprise to me is how well City are doing. They didn't impress much in the first game of the season so I'm assuming they've had some students arrive?

As a point of note City have not had a single student playing for them in the last 3 seasons as they are not allowed. All the decent students play for their Uni 1st or 2nd XV on a Saturday and if not for them they are at Falcons academy and therefore play for Tynedale, Mowden, Blaydon etc. Examples being Dan Kyle and Ralph Smith

Observer I stand corrected. So what is behind City's run of good form?

Well I must say I watched us play Durham and I thought they were a very ordinary side, we were pathetic on that day. I would be very surprised if City are in the top half come the end of the year.

City will come unstuck during the hard winter section of the season (if winter ever arrives).
I expect West, Driffield and Aspatria all to be up there competing and it saddens me to say it but if Rovers don't buck up their form they will be in the relegation dogfight.
That said several of the other relegation likelies have still got to come to The Friarage.

Heavy pitches used to be a big factor in my day but these days better pitch drainage and milder winters have made things much better.

WPA, I hope you are being at least slightly ironic there. Although I suppose this year most of the rain fell during the summer.

Stick it up your jumper!

From my observations City's strength has been in their forwards with players returning from injury and the farmers now being available. Plus guys who left at the start of the season to try higher up the leagues have returned. They were not getting a look in with those teams who have now recruited from the southern hemisphere or have been given Falcons academy players. It is a shame that the local lads again miss out but I am sure City are pleased to have these players back.

Me thinks Wonderfish has sour grapes.

Methinks an understrength Driffield played woefully and gifted a win to an extremely limited side who will get 50 put on them in East Yorkshire.

Methinks wonderfish is a little bit tetchy

methinks comments like this: "who will get 50 put on them in East Yorkshire" have a habit of coming back to haunt you