That’s a wrap for the 2025 Betfred League One season!
The 2025 Betfred League One season concluded at the weekend, with Whitehaven, Midlands Hurricanes and Dewsbury Rams all tasting victory in their final games.
Whitehaven ended their campaign with a hard-fought victory at The Ortus Rec, as they defeated the League One Champions, North Wales Crusaders in a close contest.
The visitors had initially built up a 16-6 lead heading into half-time, having opened the scoring through Sam Wilde, before Patrick Ah Van and Kieran Taylor crossed the whitewash.
Haven’s only response in the first forty came from Jack Keller.
It was a tale of two halves, however, with the second half majorly belonging to the hosts.
Ellison Holgate and Jay Weatherhill touched down within minutes of each other, although Ah Van did complete his brace to regain the advantage for a short period.
In what was an exciting end-to-end affair, the home side broke free, and Weatherhill became a Haven hero as he raced over 60m to score what would eventually turn out to be the match-winner, along with a successfully converted penalty by Dan Abram.
Matt Reid managed to get over for a late Crusaders try – a fitting end to his rugby league career, but it was to be Whitehaven’s afternoon, as they became just the second team to defeat the Crusaders in 2025.
Over at The Alexander Stadium, the Hurricanes ensured that they would end their season on a high, scoring ten tries against Newcastle Thunder.
Eight different Canes got on the scoresheet on Sunday, and this included doubles from Aiden Roden and Jon Luke-Kirkby.
It was the Midlands’ best ever points tally in League One as they finish the year in fifth place.
Jake Dickinson ensured Thunder would not leave the final round scoreless.
Meanwhile, Dewsbury brought the curtain down on their season with a win away at Rochdale, and in turn secured fourth spot in the final league standings.
A pulsating points fest unfolded at the Crown Oil Arena, with the Hornets giving a great send off to the retiring Greg McNally and Martyn Ridyard – who got well and truly stuck into the action.
The Rams would be the ones to go on and clinch victory with a Dan Coates effort four minutes from time, but it was a great spectacle from both teams.
Over in Goole, a medical emergency meant that their match against Workington on Saturday was abandoned.
The Cumbrian side were leading 6-12, when head coach Jonty Gorley was taken ill in the second half.
He received immediate treatment from both clubs’ medical staff, before being transferred by ambulance to Scunthorpe Hospital for further assessment.
It has since been reported that Gorley has now been discharged and is back home in Cumbria with his family, which is fantastic news.
The RFL Board will now determine the outcome of this fixture, which stood at 6-12 with 15 minutes remaining.
Betfred League One Round 22 results:
Whitehaven 28 North Wales Crusaders 24
Midlands Hurricanes 58 Newcastle Thunder 4
Rochdale Hornets 32 Dewsbury Rams 36
Goole Vikings v Workington Town (postponed)
Photo Credit: North Wales Crusaders
