League Table Saturday 3rd September:
1. Swinton are champions.
2. Keighley Pld 19, Pts 40 Points Diff +243
3. Workington Pld 19, Pts 40 Points Diff +220
4. Rochdale Pld 20, Pts 40 Points Diff +154
5. Dons Pld 19, Pts 37 Points Diff +74
6. Whitehaven Pld 19, Pts 35 Points Diff +149
7. Oldham Pld 19, Pts 33 Points Diff +104
Fixtures: Gateshead v Dons
Keighley v Whitehaven
Workington v Oldham
Possible play-off scenarios:Worst outcome: Dons lose at Gateshead and Whitehaven win at Keighley - Dons finish 6th. We would be away to Whitehaven.
If Whitehaven lose at Keighley, we are assured of a 5th place and would be at home in the play-offs to either Whitehaven or Oldham.
Dons win at Gateshead, regardless of other results, we will be 5th or better, and have a home game next. This would be against Team 6, which will probably be Whitehaven, unless they fail to get a bonus point at Keighley, and Oldham win at Workington.
If the Dons win by at least 81 points at Gateshead, we must finish 4th. We would play Team 7 at home, which will probably be Oldham.
There is no realistic chance of us getting higher than 4th due to the points difference situation.
Summary:The most likely scenario is that we win at Gateshead by less than 81 points and play Whitehaven at home in the play-offs.
If we win by 81 or more we will probably be at home to Oldham in the play-offs.
I think we'd fancy our chances a little more at home to Oldham than Whitehaven.
We might win by 81 points and still end up playing Whitehaven if Whitehaven draw a blank at Keighley and Oldham win at Worky!!!
What is best for the Dons?The most important result for the Dons is probably that Whitehaven lose at Keighley. This guarantees a home play-off place for us regardless.
See you all at Gateshead!
Good luck to the boys!
