22 Jun 2023

Betfred Championship Preview | Round 16

The Round 16 Betfred Championship action starts on Friday evening, as Sheffield Eagles host Newcastle Thunder.

Mark Aston’s side have slipped to fourth after defeat to Toulouse, but with 10 wins from 15 matches, the Eagles have had a strong 2023.

The meeting on Friday will be the third of the season, with Sheffield coming out on top on both occasions.

Thunder got their second league win of the season last weekend, as they defeated the Keighley Cougars at Kingston Park. Thunder had failed to win at home prior to that fixture.

Despite losing to Sheffield at Summer Bash, Newcastle fought back near the end in a thrilling 38-32 encounter.

Newcastle have not won at Sheffield since 1999.

Toulouse will host Bradford Bulls in France on Saturday.

Toulouse produced an impressive home victory last weekend against high-flying Sheffield Eagles.

So far this season, they have made it a fortress with an 100% strike rate.

Bradford Bulls snatched a draw from local rival, Halifax Panthers last weekend. A late Dec Patton penalty saw Bradford avoid defeat.

The Bulls are fifth in the table and trail their hosts by just one point. A victory would see them overtake Toulouse.

Bradford defeated Toulouse 28-18 when the sides met earlier in the season.

Batley Bulldogs will be looking to continue their good form as they host London Broncos.

Seven consecutive Championship wins, have seen Craig Lingard’s side move up to second in the table.

The Bulldogs defeated London when the sides met in the opening round of 2023.

London are a side who have seen improvement, but will be looking to bounce back after consecutive defeats against Bradford Bulls and Featherstone.

London’s last victory at Batley was a 40-6 win in 2021.

Halifax Panthers will be looking to put their late draw behind them, as Barrow Raiders travel to The Shay.

A late penalty saw Halifax lose a point late on at Odsal last weekend.

The match will be a first home game in a month for the Panthers, who faced St Helens in the Challenge Cup.

Simon Grix’s side have won their last eight home meetings with Barrow.

Paul Crarey’s Barrow Raiders have looked impressive in recent weeks, with three wins in their last four matches. Their one defeat during that period came away at league leaders, Featherstone Rovers.

Barrow will be looking for their first win at Halifax since 2011.

The upturn in form has seen Barrow move up to tenth, they could move up to eighth with a victory and results going in their favour.

Keighley Cougars welcome Whitehaven to Cougar Park on Sunday.

The Cougars have been narrowly beaten in their last three matches. Their previous two meetings they were defeated 18-16, with the contest before a 32-28 home defeat to Swinton.

Keighley sit 11^th in the table, which is two places behind their opposition.

Dan Parker could make his 150^th appearance. Parker has made 86 appearances for Keighley.

Whitehaven have surprised a few in recent weeks with some impressive wins.

Haven have won their last two matches with an away win against Sheffield Eagles, followed with a home win against Widnes Vikings.

Whitehaven did not play last weekend as they were set to play York, who featured in the Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals.

Widnes will be looking to continue their 100% record against Swinton Lions this season.

John Kear’s side have beaten Swinton in both meetings during the 2023 season.

Widnes have won their last 18 meetings with Swinton.

The Lions head into Sunday’s match looking for their first win against Widnes since 1998.

Swinton are 13^th in the table. In recent weeks they defeated Keighley, but since then they have suffered successive defeats against Halifax and Batley.

York Knights will be looking to follow their impressive Challenge Cup performance, as they welcome league leaders, Featherstone Rovers.

The Knights were ahead for the majority of their cup clash against Super League side, Leigh Leopards, who only took the lead in the 61^st minute.

Andrew Henderson’s side have been plagued with injuries, but despite this they have gave a good account of themselves of many occasions.

York have not beaten Featherstone since 2019.

Featherstone have very dominant this season. Rovers have lost just one Championship game, which they bounced back from as they scored 50 points against London Broncos.

Sean Long’s side have scored 46 points on both meetings this season. A 46-4 win in Round Seven was followed later in the season with a 46-16 contest at Summer Bash.

Fixtures

Friday