Well Round 2 of the Betfred Championship fixtures were severely disrupted last Sunday due to the inconvenience of storm Ciara making her presence felt.
Games at Swinton Lions, Featherstone Rovers and York City Knights were postponed. The game at Widnes Vikings was delayed 15 mins as the Batley Bulldogs coach was late in getting to the ground. The Vikings finishing the stronger to win the game. Ciara couldn’t stop London Broncos eventually overcoming a spirited Whitehaven team.
Luckily a day earlier, there were two games in the Championship. They were comfortable victories for both home teams, Leigh Centurions put 58 points past Sheffield Eagles and Toulouse Olympique did the same against Oldham.
There was a number of interesting matches paired up for Championship clubs in the Challenge Cup Fourth Round draw last Monday evening.
The newest club Bradford Bulls will play the oldest in Underbank Rangers at the Tetley’s Stadium. Dewsbury Rams face a long trip to Cumbria to face Whitehaven, a potential chance for both teams to go on a cup run. Sheffield Eagles – Halifax and Widnes Vikings – Oldham are repeat fixtures from round 1 of the Championship. Swinton Lions will be at home against Leigh Miners Rangers. Finally Leigh Centurions have been drawn against Batley Bulldogs.
The forecast weather for this coming weekend isn’t looking too good as well, but I’m feeling confident that Round 3 of the Betfred Championship will go ahead without any postponements. Batley Bulldogs will be hopeful of getting their season off with a win against Swinton Lions at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium ( Mount Pleasant ).
Making a return to the Bulldogs is Tom Lillycrop, he has spent the winter playing rugby union with Cleckheaton.
Down the road at the Tetley’s Stadium, a bumper attendance will be expected as the Bradford Bulls entertain Featherstone Rovers, both teams and supporters will be eager for this match after last week’s postponements.
The Shay Stadium will see Halifax entertain Dewsbury Rams. This match should be a close one, will home advantage be enough for Halifax?
Another close encounter should be expected at the Leigh Sports Village, where Leigh Centurions plays York City Knights. The Centurions this week announced an extension of their dual-registration deal with St Helens. This partnership will see Saints take Leigh players for their reserves side, while Leigh will take Saints youngsters for Championship experience.
Sheffield Eagles first home game of the season will be played at Castle Park, the home of Doncaster rugby union club. This will be the first of three home games played at Castle Park. They will face an unbeaten Toulouse Olympique side who will be hoping to carry their impressive home performances on the road.
Widnes Vikings good start to the season will be put to the test on Sunday, as they face a London Broncos side who have won their first two games back in the Championship, but they have had to scrap hard for the wins. Who will still have a 100% at the end of this game?
Finally the OURLEAGUE game on Sunday evening, weather permitting, is in Cumbria as Whitehaven battle it out against fellow promoted club Oldham. Both clubs will be hoping of getting off the mark with that all important first win of the season.
As ever you can sign up to the OURLEAGUE app by visiting the RFL website. Make sure you put Dewsbury as the club you follow, the more sign ups we get, the more funding we’ll receive.
