It’s almost midway through the regular season of the 2024 Betfred Championship, and the competition has never been as close!
On Saturday, expect a cracking contest between 11th and 12th, as Doncaster and Swinton meet for the first time since 2022, and on netural territory at the Millenium Stadium.
A win for either side could put them as high as 7th place, highlighting the competitiveness of this year’s campaign. Both are also looking to avoid a third successive defeat…
Toulouse are on a roll and could make it seven wins on the spin on Saturday when they face Featherstone Rovers at Stade Ernest Wallon. Their Round 13 match will kick-off at a later time of 9pm (8pm, UK), due to the Men’s and Women’s mid-season international double-header – details here.
It was one a-piece last year in the league, as these two Championship heavyweights meet for the first time in 2024.
The French side currently occupy third place and could move up to second with a victory on home soil. Fev, however, have dropped to sixth and are in need of the two points on offer if they are to create space between themselves and the teams below.
Can the Rovers avoid a fifth straight loss?
Sunday will then see a recently resurged York take on Sheffield for a third time this season. The Eagles were victors in their respective Betfred Challenge Cup and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup meetings, although York have won their last two matches under new head coach Mark Applegarth. Who will come out on top?
In West Yorkshire, Halifax take on Whitehaven at the DIY Kitchens Stadium. The Panthers put up a great fight against Wakefield last weekend and will look to bounce back against Jonty Gorley’s men – a side who are hoping to secure back-to-back wins. The hosts have won their last ten home meetings with Haven, but can they make it eleven?
Dewsbury will also play hosts Bradford, and it is the Bulls who have won comfortably in against the Rams in recent seasons.
Elsewhere, Widnes are at home to Batley in what is set to be an enticing encounter. The Bulldogs have already visited the DCBL Stadium once this season, where they ran out as 14-18 victors in Round 5 of the Challenge Cup.
With Widnes eyeing up the top spots in the league, Batley now found themselves pushing for a Play-Off place – what action will unfold?
The final fixture sees Wakefield visit Cumbria for the second time in a matter of weeks. They will travel to face Barrow, who they last met in the 1895 Cup Quarter-Finals. Although Wakefield won 30-12, it was a valiant effort from the Raiders, who will be hoping to produce another strong performance.
Will Trinity continue their unbeaten run? It's all to play for, with Barrow being one of the four teams level on ten points - and just two points adrift from that all-important sixth spot...
There have been a number of changes to kick-off times of matches taking place in the Betfred Championship and Betfred League One at the weekend, with England Football playing at 5pm on Sunday in the last 16 of the Euros.
Betfred Championship Round 13 fixtures (with new and amended kick-off times):
Doncaster RLFC v Swinton Lions (K.O. 6:30pm)
Toulouse Olympique v Featherstone Rovers (K.O. 9pm)
Halifax Panthers v Whitehaven RLFC (K.O. 1pm)
Barrow Raiders v Wakefield Trinity (K.O. 2pm)
Widnes Vikings v Batley Bulldogs (K.O. 2:30pm)
Dewsbury Rams v Bradford Bulls (K.O. 2:30pm)
York Knights v Sheffield Eagles (K.O. 3pm)
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship and all of the relevant information and kick-off times can be found here.
