The regular Betfred Championship season is nearing its conclusion. With the final league positions still to be decided ahead of this year’s Play-Offs, Round 24 promises another fascinating weekend of action.
London Broncos remain unbeaten at the top of the table and could secure the League Leaders' Shield on Sunday, while the battle for the final Play-Off place reaches its boiling point.
Batley Bulldogs currently occupy the tenth and final spot, but local rivals Dewsbury Rams could leapfrog them with crucial points on offer in the last few games.
Remember, the top ten teams in the table will progress to the Play-Off stage…
The headline fixture in Round 24 sees third-placed Oldham host unbeaten London Broncos.
The Broncos stretched their perfect record to 21 wins from 21 matches with a 92-6 victory over Goole Vikings last time out and could claim the League Leaders' Shield with a victory at Boundary Park on Sunday.
Oldham, meanwhile, will be looking to continue their incredible campaign as they gear up to face the division's pacesetters. Could the Roughyeds become the first team to beat the Broncos?
Their last meeting back in Round 2 saw a 25-8 scoreline in London’s favour.
Elsewhere, plenty is on the line over in Cumbria as Whitehaven welcome Dewsbury Rams.
Whitehaven currently occupy ninth position and know a victory would further stand them in good stead for the Play-Offs.
Haven are undefeated in their last five home meetings with Dewsbury, having drawn one and won four.
For the Rams, it is simple. With Batley sitting in tenth place, Dewsbury need to keep winning if they are to maintain hopes of sneaking into the Play-Off positions during the closing weeks of the season.
Batley themselves are preparing for a home tie Keighley Cougars and have won their last four meetings with them at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.
The Bulldogs impressed in Round 23, pushing second-placed Newcastle Thunder all the way before falling to a narrow 28-24 defeat last weekend. They will be eager to return to winning ways and cement their Play-Off spot.
Keighley, on the other hand, haven’t tasted victory since early May, having recently endured ten straight losses. Will they be able to cause any kind of upset on Sunday?
Then, Doncaster and Midlands Hurricanes meet in Round 24, where two valuable points remain up for grabs in terms of league positioning.
A thriller unfolded the last time these two sides came up against one another, with Matty Chrimes’ late acrobatic finish in the corner snatching a 26-24 win for the Hurricanes. Will there be more drama in Round 24?
League positions are also at stake when Halifax Panthers entertain Widnes Vikings at The Shay. The Vikings are only just behind Doncaster in the table and will aiming to keep pace with the teams above them as attention begins to turn towards the Play-Offs.
Sheffield also breaking into the top six by the end of the regular campaign isn’t out of the question. The Eagles host a resurgent Hunslet who will be looking to end their season on a high.
Further down the table, Workington Town welcome Rochdale Hornets in a fixture both sides will be targeting as an opportunity to finish their respective seasons strongly.
Completing the Round 24 schedule, is Swinton Lions take on North Wales Crusaders.
Betfred Championship Round 24 fixtures:
Swinton Lions v North Wales Crusaders (K.O. 1pm)
All 3PM KO
Doncaster RLFC v Midlands Hurricanes
Halifax Panthers v Widnes Vikings
Sheffield Eagles v Hunslet RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC v Dewsbury Rams
Batley Bulldogs v Keighley Cougars
Oldham RLFC v London Broncos
Workington Town v Rochdale Hornets (K.O. 4pm)
Photo Credit: Dewsbury Rams
