Round 14 of the Betfred Championship gets underway with second-placed Newcastle Thunder hosting Goole Vikings under the Friday Night Lights in the Northeast.
There are three previous meetings in their history, with Thunder coming away 14-32 winners in their recent Round 9 contest. The Vikings, on the other hand, came out victorious in both their match-ups last year.
Friday's second lot of action sees Oldham play Midlands. The Roughyeds are in red hot form having won their last eight league matches, making them one of the teams to beat in the competition at present.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have lost their last two league games and will be hoping they can bounce back in Round 14.
Both sides are going to be no strangers to one another either, having clashed last weekend in the 1895 Cup Quarter-Finals, with Midlands winning a thrilling points fest, 34-40, to progress to the semi-finals.
Can Oldham enact their revenge in the Championship? Either way, it’s going to get heated.
Seven ties are happening on Sunday. Barrow are at home to Hunslet and have astoundingly won their last 17 home meetings against them.
In West Yorkshire, Batley and Dewsbury are back on home soil – the Bulldogs will take on North Wales Crusaders, whilst the Rams entertain Workington Town. Which sides will try to rise up the league ladder?
Salford travel to Halifax, and there was little to separate the sides last time out – just a single Leon Cowen try ensured the Panthers would be taking away the two points.
It’s Derby Day for Rochdale Hornets and Swinton Lions. This season and last have produced some scintillating contests between the two sides, with the results being 8-12 to Rochdale in 2026’s opening round, as well as a string of tight showings in 2025; 18-12 to Swinton, 8-7 to Rochdale, and 18-16 to Rochdale.
It’s safe to say we should expect another fiery affair!
Sheffield have a tough test when they welcome league leaders London Broncos to the city. It marks a huge day for the South Yorkshire club though, as the Eagles prepare to play at their brand-new home for the first time, having relocated to the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium.
A Cumbrian trip awaits Keighley Cougars. Ian Hardman's men will be on the road and face Whitehaven in Round 14, but will be brimming with confidence after convincingly beating their upcoming opponents 56-14 back in Round 4.
Betfred Championship Round 14 fixtures:
Friday 22 May
Newcastle Thunder v Goole Vikings
Oldham RLFC v Midlands Hurricanes
Sunday 24 May
Barrow Raiders v Hunslet RLFC
Batley Bulldogs v North Wales Crusaders
Dewsbury Rams v Workington Town
Halifax Panthers v Salford RLFC
Rochdale Hornets v Swinton Lions
Sheffield Eagles v London Broncos
Whitehaven RLFC v Keighley Cougars
Doncaster RLFC and Barrow Raiders’ rearranged fixture also took place on Wednesday (20 May), with the final score Doncaster 12 Barrow 36.
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
Photo Credit: Sheffield Eagles
