Re: The Play-Offs : Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:58 pm  

Doncaster v Workington next week is an absolutely massive game for both clubs now. The prize is a place in the major semi final and 2 bites at the cherry to get to the GF.

Re: The Play-Offs : Sun Aug 14, 2011 5:23 pm  

The hunt for 2nd spot is well and truly on. Congrats to Swinton for winning the title today.

Re: The Play-Offs : Mon Aug 15, 2011 9:59 am  

Double Movement wrote:

After the Whitehaven win, if the Dons win their last two games against Workington and Gateshead, we will finish no lower than 3rd. To finish 2nd we need Keighley to drop at least a point in one of their last two games. They've got Skolars away and their final match is at home to Whitehaven!

And they lost at Skolars last time out.

Re: The Play-Offs : Wed Aug 17, 2011 9:06 am  

According to SkyBet the latest odds (Wed 17th August) for winning the C1 Grand Final are:

Keighley 7/4
Workington 3/1
Whitehaven 7/2
Dons 6/1
Oldham 7/1
Rochdale 14/1

They think the Dons have got around a 15% chance of winning it!

In a very open league, I wouldn't have Keighley as short as 7/4, or Workington at 3/1. I think they should both be a little longer than that. Whitehaven and the Dons should be a little shorter.

In reality the Dons true chance of going up would appear to be somewhere between 20% and 25%, which makes them in the region of 3/1 to 4/1.

Regardless of what happens from here on in, I think we should consider this season to have been a resounding success, especially considering where we were at when we lost at home to Siddall last season.

Well done to all concerned in getting us to where we're at now.

If we don't go up, it won't be the end of the world. We can consolidate and try to take this league by the scruff of the neck next season. If we do go up, it will be tough, and a few additions to the squad will be needed, but the club do seem to have an eye for finding the right players at the right price.

As the RFL are reviewing the league format, it is difficult to know what will be happening beyond next season.

Good luck to all the lads for the rest of the season. Let's get behind them and see if we can get into the Championship!

Re: The Play-Offs : Wed Aug 17, 2011 1:21 pm  

Double Movement wrote:

According to SkyBet the latest odds (Wed 17th August) for winning the C1 Grand Final are:

Keighley 7/4
Workington 3/1
Whitehaven 7/2
Dons 6/1
Oldham 7/1
Rochdale 14/1

They think the Dons have got around a 15% chance of winning it!

In a very open league, I wouldn't have Keighley as short as 7/4, or Workington at 3/1. I think they should both be a little longer than that. Whitehaven and the Dons should be a little shorter.

In reality the Dons true chance of going up would appear to be somewhere between 20% and 25%, which makes them in the region of 3/1 to 4/1.

I think the bookies are not far off and I agree Donny should be about 4/1. Keighley have Skolars (away) and Haven (home) to play and should win both their games which will tie up 2nd place because of their superior points difference. Workington have Donny (away) and Oldham (home) whilst Donny after the Town match have Gateshead to play, so the winner of that match is almost assured of 3rd place.

Whitehaven have Swinton (home) and Keighley (away) and have to win both games to try to get 5th place or else they will have to play all play-off games away from home, so I believe the odds for them are too short and they should be out to 7/1 - 8/1.

Re: The Play-Offs : Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:17 pm  

Good points made, Hugh.

Having seen both Keighley and Whitehaven recently, I'm not sure that Keighley will beat Whitehaven. Both have strong forwards, and it will be a good tussle. If Keighley don't win it will certainly leave the race for second place wide open.

The team that finishes second will almost certainly have to have won both of their last two matches. That could be Dons, Workington, or Keighley.

Given those circumstances, 7/4 about Keighley winning the Grand Final certainly seems too short to me. They aren't assured of being at home when 2nd place plays 3rd place.

If Keighley have to come to Donny, it'd probably be even money for either team to win that match alone.

Fascinating stuff! Can't wait for the weekend matches!!

Re: The Play-Offs : Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:02 pm  

i think .4th at best for us & a home game v Oldham.

Re: The Play-Offs : Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:37 am  

Monday 22nd August: Latest Odds ...

Keighley 5/2
Whitehaven 11/4
Workington 11/4
Dons 13/2
Oldham 13/2
Rochdale 10/1

The 7/4 about Keighley has been pushed out to 5/2. That seems more realistic.

The Dons price of 13/2 looks a bit short after the Worky match. To be honest, we can only match the front three if we play to our best and they are a bit below par. When any of the top three are on their "A" game, we seem to come up a little short.

It's never over until it's over ... Keep going lads and give it your best shot. A good win at Gateshead would do everyone's confidence a lot of good.

Re: The Play-Offs : Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:06 pm  

Double Movement wrote:

Monday 22nd August: Latest Odds ...

Keighley 5/2
Whitehaven 11/4
Workington 11/4
Dons 13/2
Oldham 13/2
Rochdale 10/1

The 7/4 about Keighley has been pushed out to 5/2. That seems more realistic.

The Dons price of 13/2 looks a bit short after the Worky match. To be honest, we can only match the front three if we play to our best and they are a bit below par. When any of the top three are on their "A" game, we seem to come up a little short.

It's never over until it's over ... Keep going lads and give it your best shot. A good win at Gateshead would do everyone's confidence a lot of good.

I still think Whitehaven odds are a bit short considering they could have to play 3 away games to reach the final depending on results. I don't think their away form is anything to write home about!!!

Re: The Play-Offs : Thu Aug 25, 2011 12:17 pm  

Hugh Mann wrote:

I still think Whitehaven odds are a bit short considering they could have to play 3 away games to reach the final depending on results. I don't think their away form is anything to write home about!!!

it worries me to think there mite be one or two players in the side who dont want the team to go up in case they not offered a contract for next season two names spring to mind after carl said openly that there positions need strengthening,if you think about it the important games at keighthly and workington when we under performed,....just my opinion