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Championship

14 May 2021

Betfred Championship Preview

Betfred Championship Preview

Betfred Championship crowds set to return

Crowds will return to the Betfred Championship for the first time since March 8 as Swinton host Dewsbury Rams, 7.45pm kick off on Monday night, followed by Featherstone Rovers' home clash with Oldham from 8pm.

But a feast of action precedes Monday, and you can catch it all on Our League.

Kicking off on Saturday, upwardly-mobile Batley Bulldogs are at home to London Broncos, 2pm kick off.

The Bulldogs, after losing in round one at Featherstone, have emerged into a force in 2021, winning four league games in a row to surge up to third in the table.

Craig Lingard's men are also the league's top scorers with 172 points, while a stern defence has seen them concede 88 points, the third best record in the division.

In opposition, London's suffered a slow start in their 47-14 loss at Halifax, but signs of recovery have arrived in recent weeks; they were unfortunate to draw 20-all at Sheffield Eagles two weeks ago and then ran in 50 points as they overcame Newcastle Thunder 50-30 last time out.

Plenty of points almost guaranteed on Saturday!

Sunday sees two more fixtures taking place, with Halifax's clash against Sheffield Eagles postponed due to positive Covid tests at the Eagles.

At 3pm, Whitehaven take on Toulouse n the lookout for their second win in as many games. They may lean on in-form hooker Callum Phillips, who bagged a stunning four tries in his side's 36-4 win at Oldham last time out.

But they will be in for a stern test against the unbeaten French outfit. Despite a stop-start opening to the season due to Covid and ongoing international travel issues, they have impressed and ran in a remarkable 13 tries as they demolished Widnes 70-0 on Sunday, Eloi Pelissier and Andrew Dixon both scoring hat-tricks in the clash.

Also at 3pm on Sunday, Widnes will be looking to bounce back from their defeat against Toulouse as they face York on home turf.

And Monday's long-awaited games with crowds bring down the curtain on another blockbuster weekend in the Betfred Championship

Fixtures:

Saturday, May 15

  • 2pm - Batley Bulldogs v London Broncos

Sunday, May 16

  • 3pm - Whitehaven v Toulouse Olmypique
  • 3pm - Widnes Vikings v York City Knights

Monday, May 17

  • 7.45pm - Swinton Lions v Dewsbury Rams
  • 8pm - Featherstone Rovers v Oldham