Round 19 of the Betfred Championship kickstarts on Friday night with an enticing clash between Wakefield Trinity and Sheffield Eagles.
Trinity are seven points clear at the top of the table, while a third placed Eagles find themselves just a point away from second spot.
The two sides last met at legendary Wembley in June’s AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, with Wakefield running out as 6-50 victors. Prior to this, they faced one another in Round 7 at Olympic Legacy Park; Wakefield also winning 10-36.
Since then, however, the table toppers have had their winning streak come to a halt and endured several tighter scorelines in their matches. Will Sheffield be able to capitalise as they enter their opponents’ fortress?
Doncaster will be out to avoid another nilling against high-flying Toulouse in Round 19. The Dons dropped back to seventh after a defeat to Sheffield last weekend, so will be determined to bounce straight back.
Toulouse, however, with a win or draw could stretch their unbeaten run to thirteen matches.
Bradford have another Cumbrian test in Round 19, and this time they will welcome Whitehaven to Bartercard Odsal, whereas a resurged Halifax host Barrow and are searching for their third straight win.
Two Championship heavyweights will go head-to-head at the DCBL Stadium, with Widnes looking to enact revenge on Featherstone for their last meeting in Round 5.
Back in April, Connor Wynne scored two tries in the final seven minutes to seal a 32-24 Rovers win, despite a late Widnes comeback.
Over at the LNER Community Stadium, York are at home to Dewsbury. The Rams haven’t won away at York since 2012, and a win for the hosts could take them into sixth depending on other results – a remarkable turnaround from the start of the year.
There’s also a big game between Batley and Swinton – both teams clawing away from the relegation zone and eyeing up the Play-Offs.
The league table is unbelievably close in 2024, where a singular win or loss could cause teams to either climb one step closer to the top six or slip straight back into the dreaded relegation zone...
Betfred Championship Round 19 fixtures:
Wakefield Trinity v Sheffield Eagles
Doncaster RLFC v Toulouse Olympique
Bradford Bulls v Whitehaven RLFC
Halifax Panthers v Barrow Raiders
York Knights v Dewsbury Rams
Widnes Vikings v Featherstone Rovers
Batley Bulldogs v Swinton Lions
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship and all of the relevant information and kick-off times can be found here.
Photo Credit: Sheffield Eagles
