Round 18 is here, and it’s that time of year where every result matters! There’s not long to go until the end of the regular 2024 Betfred Championship season - who’s excited to see what will unfold?
On Saturday, Swinton will host Toulouse, who are undefeated in their last eleven matches. While the French side find themselves competing for a top two finish, the Lions are tied on 12 league points along with Barrow, Halifax and Whitehaven at the lower end of the table and are desperately looking to avoid a relegation battle.
Toulouse have only lost four games this season, but interestingly, one being to Swinton in Round 3 in the south of France. With home advantage now in Swinton’s favour, could they become the first team to complete a double over Sylvain Houles men in 2024? Or will Toulouse extend their unbeaten run to twelve matches?
There’s a huge game between Sheffield and Doncaster in Round 18 – and the South Yorkshire derby never disappoints!
The Eagles bounced back with an emphatic win over Whitehaven last Sunday, while the Dons crept into the top six following their victory over Barrow.
It’s a much needed two points for both outfits, with Sheffield just one point behind Toulouse in second, and Doncaster now hoping to keep the upper hand with sixth spot.
2024 has seen a series of tight contests between the two sides, including a 20-26 scoreline in Round 2, and a 18-22 result in the 1895 Cup group stages – Sheffield winning on both occasions.
Featherstone will then take on Batley in another standout tie of the round. Both teams are level on 16 league points and have their sights also set on a top six finish.
The Rovers will be wounded after last week’s loss to Wakefield, which saw them slip out of the top six for the first time since the earlier rounds. Likewise, the Bulldogs will be frustrated at their missed opportunity to take sixth spot in Round 17.
As they face off for a third time this year, it’s expected to be an electric encounter. After all, it is one a-piece after two previous pulsating contests with a potential Play-Off place at stake…
Barrow and Halifax come into Round 19 on the back of impressive wins and will be hoping to go back-to-back and move away from the threat of relegation.
Standing in their way are Bradford and York. The Raiders will be targeting a Bulls side who have key players missing at the moment, while 'Fax and York battle it out - the Knights well in the mix for top six spot.
Elsewhere, Whitehaven host Widnes (their last meeting saw a fiery 28-28 draw), and it's top v bottom when Wakefield make a short trip to face Dewsbury.
Betfred Championship Round 18 fixtures:
Swinton Lions v Toulouse Olympique
Sheffield Eagles v Doncaster RLFC
Halifax Panthers v York Knights
Barrow Raiders v Bradford Bulls
Featherstone Rovers v Batley Bulldogs
Whitehaven RLFC v Widnes Vikings
Dewsbury Rams v Wakefield Trinity
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship and all of the relevant information and kick-off times can be found here.
Photo Credit: Batley Bulldogs
