The Play-Off semi-finals of Betfred League One are here! But who will progress to the Preliminary Final?
Semi-Final 1 will see second-placed Keighley Cougars host Rochdale Hornets, which will be shown live on The Sportsman. The Cougars come into this game on the back of a bye week, while the Hornets were victors in the Qualifying Play-Off last Sunday.
Gary Thornton’s men know they have a tough ask when they travel to face a promotion-chasing Keighley at Cougar Park but will be hoping to carry on their momentum into their semi-final, whereas Keighley will be fresh and raring to go.
Both teams are already familiar with one another having already faced off three times in the regular season. Most recently, Rochdale confidently defeated Keighley 32-18 at the start of September. Prior to this, there has been a gritty 20-20 draw, and a 30-42 scoreline in the Cougars' favour.
The 20-20 result occurred at Cougar Park in July – could we see another extremely close contest with a place in the next round at stake?
In Semi-Final 2, Hunslet, the losers of last week’s Qualifying Play-Off, have another shot against Midlands Hurricanes, the winners of the Elimination Play-Off.
There has been a series of tight showings between the two sides in 2024, but Hunslet have ran out victors each time against their opponents. But who will come out on top when it matters the most?
The winner of Semi-Final 1 will go straight through to the Preliminary Final. The loser will get a second chance against the winner of Semi-Final 2 next weekend, and they will battle it out for the second Preliminary Final place.
Betfred League One Play-Off fixtures:
Keighley Cougars v Rochdale Hornets (Semi-Final 1)
Hunslet RLFC v Midlands Hurricanes (Semi-Final 2)
Photo Credit: Craig Irvine Photography
