London Broncos crowned League Leaders' Shield winners as Betfred Championship Play-Off line-up is confirmed

Round 25 of the Betfred Championship proved a pivotal weekend at both ends of the table, as London Broncos secured the League Leaders' Shield and the ten Play-Off places were finally confirmed.

The headline story came in the capital, where London Broncos sealed top spot with a commanding 58-12 victory over Halifax Panthers at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

An eleven try display which included hat-tricks from Robert Mathias and Neil Tchamambe, as well as a brace from the competition’s leading try scorer Gairo Voro, plus individual scores from Alex Walker, Marcus Stock and Siliva Havili, saw the Broncos lift the Shield for the first time in their history.

There was also huge significance in the Heavy Woollen Derby, where Batley Bulldogs claimed local bragging rights and booked their Play-Off place with a 48-26 victory over Dewsbury Rams.

Playmaker Ben Reynolds was heavily involved with four tries and eleven goals, as Batley dominated on the road.

The result not only confirmed the Bulldogs' top ten finish but also ended the Rams’ hopes of forcing their way into the Play-Off positions, meaning the Championship's ten top teams are now officially decided.

At Boundary Park, Oldham found a way to win by beating Salford, 36-28. Boosted the fact they became the first team to beat London in the league this season, the Roughyeds backed up that result with another success, but had to come behind against Sunday’s visitors.

Matty Ashurst’s hat-trick inspired the hosts to victory, however, as Oldham consolidate their position in third place.

Doncaster ensured they would be finishing in fourth following the conclusion of the regular season by completing a South Yorkshire derby day double over seventh-placed Sheffield Eagles at the Club Doncaster Sports Village.

Richard Horne's side scored twice in the first half through Muizz Mustapha and Luis Johnson, but two Eagles tries from Connor Bower and Billy Walkley saw the sides deadlocked at the break.

Johnson completed a brace for the Dons in the second half, but the scores were soon level again when Greg Eden touched down.

Ultimately, Connor Robinson’s try proved to be the matchwinner, as the Dons took the spoils against their nearest and dearest for the fourth consecutive time.

Widnes Vikings secured fifth place with a convincing 40-12 success against Workington Town. Frank Sergent was the star of the show with three tries to his name in Round 25.

Allan Coleman’s men managed to maintain their impressive home record against this Cumbrian side and continue to build momentum ahead of the Play-Offs and the 1895 Cup Final where they will face London next Monday (31 August).

Elsewhere in Cumbria, Barrow Raiders were victorious against local rivals Whitehaven (42-20). Haven arrived in good form, having won their last five matches, but the Raiders proved too strong on home soil to collect another valuable two competition points and seal a sixth placed finish.

Haven slip down to tenth, with Batley overtaking them into ninth.

Hunslet were also celebrating after defeating Rochdale Hornets 28-18 at the South Leeds Stadium, while Keighley Cougars ran riot at Colwyn Bay, recording the biggest winning margin of the weekend with a 90-6 victory over North Wales Crusaders - their first win since early May.

Saturday’s action saw Newcastle Thunder tighten their grip on second spot after overcoming eighth-placed Midlands Hurricanes 56-20 on Saturday. Thunder produced ten tries in total. With one league fixture left to play, Oldham are the only team who could possibly leapfrog the North East outfit.

The round had begun with Goole Vikings edging Swinton Lions 32-28 in an entertaining encounter, also on Saturday.

The regular season of the Championship will conclude over this weekend and next, with teams looking to finish on a high.

Hunslet have now fully completed their 2026 campaign. Barrow Raiders also have no more regular league fixtures to play but will feature in the Play-Offs in a few weeks’ time.

Click here to view the 2026 Betfred Championship Play-Off format.

Betfred Championship Round 25 results:

Goole Vikings 32-28 Swinton Lions  

Newcastle Thunder 56-20 Midlands Hurricanes

Barrow Raiders 42-20 Whitehaven RLFC

Dewsbury Rams 26-48 Batley Bulldogs

Doncaster RLFC 24-18 Sheffield Eagles

Hunslet RLFC 28-18 Rochdale Hornets

London Broncos 58-12 Halifax Panthers

North Wales Crusaders 6-90 Keighley Cougars

Oldham RLFC 36-28 Salford RLFC

Widnes Vikings 40-12 Workington Town

Remaining Betfred Championship fixtures (Round 26):

Wednesday 27th August

Sheffield Eagles v Widnes Vikings (K.O. 7.45pm)

Saturday 29th August

Goole Vikings v Doncaster RLFC (K.O. 3pm)

Dewsbury Rams v Newcastle Thunder (K.O. 3pm)

Sunday 30th August

Midlands Hurricanes v North Wales Crusaders (K.O. 2pm)

All 3PM KO

Batley Bulldogs v Salford RLFC

Halifax Panthers v Keighley Cougars

Rochdale Hornets v Oldham RLFC

Workington Town v Whitehaven RLFC

Sunday 5th September

London Broncos v Swinton Lions (K.O. 2pm)

The 1895 Cup Final will take place next Monday (31 August), contested between league leaders London Broncos and Widnes Vikings at the Halliwell Jones Stadium (K.O. 3pm).

Get your tickets here!