Lloydy's Local League Predictions 5 : Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:03 pm  

Dons' community coach Adam Lloyd previews just the two games this week as Toll Bar have no fixture.

Bentley Good Companions v Batley Boys, Wheatley Hills RUFC, 2:00pm kick-off

Bentley take on Batley this weekend who beat them over in West Yorkshire in the return fixture earlier in the season. Bentley have trained well this week and are looking to start 2012 in the way they started the season off last summer.

From the previous time the two teams met, Bentley bring in a number of players into their squad and head coach Andy Whitfield believes these changes will lead to a winning result for the Companions.

Back in action for Bentley will be Chris Hemmings, Paul Purnell, Chris Wigglesworth, Kyle Betts and Dougie Reed. The only negative is that both Scott Smith and Danny Royle will be missing due to work commitments.

Lloydy's prediction: Bentley to win by 14

Moorends Marauders v Lindley Swifts, Moorends Recreation Ground, 2:00pm kick-off

After a three week break, Moorends are eager to get back into action in the Pennine League as they entertain Lindley Swifts.

The club have a big month ahead of them, with games in the National Cup, Pennine Cup and some of the players will be involved in the Doncaster Select Squad which are due to play the Dons at the end of the month.

A good start to the New Year is what is needed, and nothing less than a win will do on Saturday. After beating Lindley earlier in the season, the Marauders won't be taking anything for granted, and are determined to pick up the points to keep them in reach of the top two in the league.

Head coach Martin Rowlands said: "It's good to get back to playing after the Christmas break, the lads have had a couple of hard sessions to blow the cobwebs off and are chomping at the bit to get back playing.

"We have some big games coming up, but we'll not be looking any further than the game this Saturday.

"If we are to achieve our goal in the league this year, we have to concentrate on the next game and nothing else beyond that."

Lloydy's prediction: Moorends to win by 14

Re: Lloydy's Local League Predictions 5 : Sun Jan 08, 2012 10:53 pm  

Moorends-Thorne Marauders continued their push for promotion from the Pennine first division with a 48 – 8 home victory against Huddersfield based Lindley Swifts.

Moorends started lively and raced into a quick 10 – 0 lead before Lindley clawed themselves back into the game with two unconverted tries, 10 – 8.

The second quarter seemed to be a twenty minute period where both teams seemed a little confused with a few refereeing decisions around the play the ball, however the Marauders did manage to nudge further in front with a converted try, 16 – 8.

Half-Time Marauders 16 – 8 Swifts

After a stern team talk at half-time the Marauders knuckled down and concentrated on playing the basics in a higher gear, solid defence and quick hands soon saw the score board clicking over as the home side recorded six second-half tries and four conversions, 48 – 8.

The contributed of four tries by Wayne Green on his return to the Marauders earned the big centre the man of the match award closely followed by young prop Kevin Lake and fellow centre Steve Allen.

Full-Time Marauders 48 – 8 Swifts.

Next week the Marauders make the three hour journey to Workington to take on Cumbrians Glasson Rangers in the BARLA National Cup.