Whilst the League finished for us several weeks ago, there are still games going on which may have a bearing on where and who we play (or watch) next season

Heading down from the National Leagues are Scunthorpe and Hull (so two extra East teams), whilst Rossendale will face the winner of the Promotion eliminator.

The first round of Play-off games were played last weekend and a shock in the East as Alnwick unbeaten at home all season, including Heath’s only defeat, lost there to Harrogate 35v45.

So Alnwick will remain in the East next season, and it will be Harrogate who go forward and will be away to the winner of the West play-off, more predictably Anselmians (including former Mint Bridge ball boy Lewis Kincart) who beat Stockport 31v25. So if Rossendale or Anselmians win it will be one less in the West

We already knew Heath and Huddersfield (both Eastern – even if Huddersfield played in the West this season) were leaving for better things, whilst Penrith (West) and Cleckheaton (East); Long Eaton (Midlands) and Derby (Midlands) drop out.

More shocks in the first round of relegation eliminators as in form York lost to Middlesbrough 20v14, so they will go forward to face Manchester who despite finishing the higher in the West , were well beaten 19v36 at home by Wirral (not sure who gets home advantage). The loser will face the winner of the League 2 play-off. I think the options will be Pocklington (Yorkshire) vs Consett (North East); or West Bridgeford (Nottinghamshire) vs Vale of Lune (Lancashire). So three a long distance from Kendal, but whilst Vale would be West, a low mileage could pull us towards there as well – but they have to win three games first.

Coming up are Northern (Newcastle) from North; Scarbrough from North East; and North Ribblesdale (Settle) North West – so Two Eastern teams and Ribblesdale will also be close to a lot of East based teams.

In the Midlands (which may have a bearing, as the fewer in the West the better for us (if we want to return there, as they are long trips, so push us East) Bournville head up and Dudley Kingswindford and Nuneaton go down, so all real Midland clubs. Newport (West last season) have a Promotion play-off and Drybrook (Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire) have a second relegation play-off.

One thing I spotted, is whilst I had suggested teams were unlikely to drop out (as they did in the Pizza Cup) eight (including Keswick) failed to contest their play-off game. All were away teams so maybe travel costs (especially if the next two games would also be away) may have been a factor