Championship Talk: All on the line

CHAMPIONSHIP TALK

fevnut's blog is absolutely delighted to have received permission to bring you a regular column from Gareth Walker.

Gareth is a top rugby league journalist who has one very exceptional distinction. He chooses to write about matters pertaining to the Championship and League One.

Although this blog is devoted to Featherstone Rovers it is always good to read opinions about matters relevant to us, but not specifically about us. We hope you enjoy reading Gareth's column each week.

All on the line

A full season’s work is at stake this weekend as the Betfred Championship and League One play-offs get underway.

       

For four clubs in particular their whole 2019 campaigns will be on the line as they start playing knock-out rugby from week one.

       

In the second tier, Leigh Centurions host Featherstone Rovers, while in League One Hunslet are at home to Workington.

       

The clash at the Leigh Sports Village is a fascinating one.

       

Leigh and Featherstone have traditionally been among the strongest clubs outside of Super League over the last decade, and as such have had a host of thrilling meetings down the years.

       

But it’s also interesting to look back to 2018’s Championship Shield final, when both clubs had to gain dispensation to sign players after the signings deadline just to fill their teams, for a match that Rovers won 42-10.

       

Featherstone coach then was John Duffy, who has since joined the Centurions to be replaced by Ryan Carr.

       

Both are young, ambitious coaches who like to play attacking rugby - it should be an absolute cracker.

       

Hunslet entertain Workington with the loser there also knowing that their 2019 season is over.

       

The teams met just two weeks ago when Chris Thorman’s Town emerged impressive 30-16 winners.

       

Workington also won in South Leeds in the 1895 Cup in May despite being able to field just 14 fit players, and Gary Thornton’s side have struggled with their home form all year.

       

But they still have enough quality in their side to ensure this should be a fascinating game that could go right down to the wire.

       

Both competitions also have Qualifying play-offs this weekend, when the winners face their respective League Leaders away from home in the following round, and the losers get a second bite of the cherry at home to the winners of the Elimination play-offs.

       

In the Championship Toulouse take on a York City Knights team that has exceeded all expectations this year in finishing third, and who given their ability to win tight matches, cannot be overlooked by anyone in coming weeks.

       

Then Newcastle Thunder host Doncaster in League One, and any match that pits Quentin Lalulu-Togagae against Rangi Chase is sure to be compelling viewing.

       

With the Toulouse and Newcastle games on the OurLeague app and Leigh-Featherstone on Sky, there will be plenty of positive exposure for the sport at this level in coming weeks.