The Betfred Championship Play-Offs moved another step closer to the Grand Final this weekend, with London Broncos and Newcastle Thunder earning direct passage to Week 4, while Barrow Raiders, Oldham, Doncaster and Widnes Vikings will battle it out in two sudden-death contests next weekend.
Under the Championship’s Play-Off structure, the winners of the two Week 2 Qualifying Finals are rewarded with a weekend off before hosting Preliminary Finals in Week 4, while the beaten sides receive a second opportunity in Week 3. The two Elimination Finals, meanwhile, offered no such safety net.
League Leaders’ Shield winners London Broncos made the most of their route into the Play-Offs with an emphatic 42-6 victory over Doncaster.
Neil Tchamambe and Gairo Voro both crossed twice for the Broncos, with Connor O’Beirne, Robert Mathias, Luke Smith and Epel Kapinias also touching down. Dean Hawkins kicked five goals as London booked their place in Week 4. Watson Boas scored Doncaster’s only try, with Connor Robinson adding the conversion.
Newcastle Thunder will join the Broncos in Week 4 after an impressive 34-16 victory over Widnes Vikings in Saturday’s other Qualifying Final.
Thunder led 14-12 at the break before pulling clear in the second half, with Ryan Jackson, Jordan Lipp, Bailey Antrobus, Harvey Reynolds and Mitch Clark their try-scorers. Myles Harrison contributed seven goals and a drop goal. Widnes responded through Jordan Johnstone, Adam Lawton and Frank Sergent, but will now have to take the longer route through Week 3.
While London and Newcastle could celebrate securing a valuable weekend off, Barrow Raiders and Oldham ensured their own seasons would continue by winning their respective Elimination Finals.
Barrow overcame Sheffield Eagles 26-10 after holding a narrow 8-4 half-time advantage. Andrew Bulman, Greg Richards, Joe Bullock and Ryan King crossed for the Raiders, with Ryan Johnston kicking five goals. Billy Walkley and Kieran Gill were Sheffield’s try-scorers as the Eagles’ Play-Off campaign came to an end.
Oldham were convincing 46-16 winners against Midlands Hurricanes, racing into a 32-4 half-time lead. Ted Chapelhow scored twice, while Jake Bibby, Jack Walker, Josh Drinkwater, Adam Milner and Morgan Smith also crossed. Smith enjoyed a productive afternoon with the boot too, landing nine goals. Aidan McGowan scored twice for Midlands alongside a Ross Oakes try.
The Championship’s multi-stage Play-Off structure now leaves six teams standing. London and Newcastle advance directly to the Week 4 Preliminary Finals and will have home advantage, while next weekend brings two sudden-death Play-Offs.
Doncaster will host Barrow Raiders, while Widnes Vikings welcome Oldham, with the winners progressing to face London and Newcastle in Week 4 for a place in the Betfred Championship Grand Final.
Find out more about the Betfred Championship Play-Off structure
