27/10/2026
🏉 NORTH RUGBY | ROUND 6 PREVIEW
📅 Saturday 31st October 2026
The Regional 1 North leagues return this weekend with plenty to play for as the early-season table begins to take shape. With points at a premium and the battle for positions already heating up, Round 6 promises another fascinating afternoon of rugby across the North!
Here’s our look ahead to this weekend’s fixtures, with both leagues assessed against the current standings.
🔴 REGIONAL 1 NORTH EAST
Alnwick v North Ribblesdale
League leaders Alnwick welcome North Ribblesdale looking to maintain their place at the summit. Alnwick have made an impressive start to the campaign, while North Ribblesdale will be looking to produce a performance capable of shaking up the top end of the table. A tough test awaits the visitors against the early pace-setters.
Blaydon v Middlesbrough
Two sides looking to climb the table meet at Blaydon. The hosts sit ninth, with Middlesbrough just one place below in tenth. With both clubs level on eight points, this is a huge opportunity to create some breathing space and move away from the bottom end of the standings.
Scarborough v Sandal
Scarborough currently occupy sixth place and will be keen to keep themselves in touch with the leading sides. Sandal, meanwhile, sit bottom of the table and need points to kick-start their campaign. Home advantage could prove important, but the visitors will know that every opportunity to climb the standings counts.
York v Hull
York face a significant challenge as fifth-placed Hull make the trip. The visitors have 17 points and are firmly in the top half, while York sit eighth on eight points. Hull will want to maintain their momentum, but York have the chance to make a statement and close the gap on the sides above them.
Driffield v Ilkley
Ilkley travel to Driffield sitting fourth in the table, with 18 points already accumulated. The hosts are eleventh on seven points and will be desperate to turn their fortunes around. On paper, Ilkley start as favourites, but Driffield have a valuable opportunity to claim a result against one of the league’s higher-ranked teams.
Scunthorpe v Northern
One of the standout fixtures of the round sees third-placed Scunthorpe host second-placed Northern. Just three points separate the sides, with Scunthorpe on 19 and Northern on 22. With the teams directly behind leaders Alnwick facing off, this could have a significant impact on the early title race.
🔵 REGIONAL 1 NORTH WEST
Bowdon v Kendal
Bowdon and Kendal meet with both clubs looking to move away from the lower reaches of the table. Bowdon sit tenth on seven points, while Kendal are eighth on eight. With just one point separating them, this is a crucial opportunity for either side to gain ground on the teams above.
Macclesfield v Rochdale
Second-placed Macclesfield return home looking to keep the pressure on league leaders Anselmians. With 24 points, they have made a strong start, while Rochdale sit bottom on six points. The visitors face a difficult challenge against one of the division’s leading sides, but will be looking to produce a performance that gets their season moving.
Stockport v Leek
Third-placed Stockport welcome Leek in a fixture that could have implications at both ends of the top half. Stockport have 23 points and remain firmly in the title conversation, while Leek sit sixth on 11. The hosts will be looking to keep pace with the top two, but Leek have the chance to make a statement against another of the division’s strongest starters.
Wirral v Vale of Lune
Wirral sit fourth with 21 points and will be looking to stay in touch with the leading pack. Vale of Lune are ninth on eight points and need a positive result to climb the standings. Wirral will be looking to make home advantage count, but the visitors have an opportunity to cause an upset.
Anselmians v Dronfield
League leaders Anselmians welcome Dronfield as they look to protect their position at the top. Anselmians have 25 points, just one ahead of Macclesfield, while Dronfield sit eleventh on six. The hosts will be determined to keep their winning momentum going, but Dronfield will be looking to make life difficult for the league leaders.
Blackburn v Rossendale
Blackburn host fifth-placed Rossendale in an intriguing meeting between two sides separated by six points. Rossendale have 16 points and are looking to keep pace with the top four, while Blackburn sit seventh on 10. A home win could help Blackburn close the gap, but Rossendale will be keen to strengthen their position in the upper half of the table.
🏆 THE BIG GAMES TO WATCH
🔴 North East: Scunthorpe v Northern — second against third in a crucial early-season clash.
🔵 North West: Anselmians v Dronfield — can the leaders maintain their position at the summit?
🔵 North West: Macclesfield v Rochdale — a test of the title challengers against a side searching for points.
Who are you backing this weekend? Let us know your predictions in the comments! 👇
📸 Andy Standing & Big Pitch Media
