CARLISLE HAVE SAY IN PLAY OFF SLOT
Penrith RUFC Logo
Congratulations to Penrith who have been promoted at the first attempt after being relegated at the end of last season. It is still possible, just, for Old Crossleyans to take number one slot if Penrith lose their last game and the Halifax side win theirs by over 300 points. Highly unlikely given the number of low scoring games the Old Crocs have featured in.
If the Old Crocs lose their last fixture on 18th April, then that could let in any one of Billingham, Pontefract or Sandal, all of whom have a superior points differential.
Billingham are at home to CARLISLE; Pontefract are on the road at Morpeth and Sandal travel to Ilkley.
So, Carlisle may still have a say in who reaches the play off in an attempt to keep Penrith company. Billingham looked a useful side when they sneaked a result at Warwick Road in the opening weeks of the season, and will be no push over at home. Although they are not invincible on home turf - they have had some surprising reverses.
Promoted to North 2 East at the end of last season they had an immediate impact in their new environment and headed the table for a good while.
If Carlisle play to their potential then they could kill off any lingering ambitions of their hosts, because and as has been the case all season, any team in the league is capable of beating any other - there has never been a strident front runner.
Whatever, Carlisle certainly need to remain focussed with a county cup semi final to come the week after.
