Championship Talk: The final countdown

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.

The final countdown

OF the four key issues that were still to be settled in Betfred Championship and League One last weekend, three of them have been decided.

       

The Championship’s race for the top five and relegation battle have both ended, and in League One Workington Town assured their play-off place.

       

All that now remains of the four issues is the automatic promotion place from the third tier, where a draw for Whitehaven at Coventry Bears will ensure they finish ahead of second placed Oldham.

       

A sizeable travelling army of Haven supporters will make the trip to the Midlands, with Gary Charlton’s side odds-on favourites to complete an outstanding season and earn their place in the Championship.

       

That would then leave the Roughyeds to fight it out with Newcastle Thunder, Hunslet, Doncaster and Workington Town for the second promotion spot.

       

Given how regularly each of those five teams have beaten each other this season it should be a fascinating play-offs campaign.

       

And four of them face each other this weekend as they jostle for places, with Oldham away at Hunslet and Workington hosting Doncaster.

       

In the second tier, Barrow’s relegation alongside Rochdale was confirmed when their 14-man team was overwhelmed by runaway leaders Toronto, and the Raiders must now rebuild in League One.

       

Both clubs will have to cope with a drop in income of around £100,000 across central funding and expected lower attendances next year, which is no small task.

       

At the top end of the competition Featherstone confirmed their top five place with a 64-0 win at Batley.

       

The Wolfpack have long been locked into first place but behind them there is still much to play for on the final weekend in terms of finishing places.

       

Toulouse need a draw at Featherstone to assure second place - any slip up could let in York, who travel to Halifax.

       

Second place is crucial, as it assures home advantage in the first weekend of the play-offs in the Qualifying Semi-final against third.

       

Leigh are now fourth after losing at home to York, and they travel to Toronto on Saturday.

       

Defeat there, coupled with a Featherstone win over Toulouse, would see Rovers have home advantage in that opening weekend Elimination Semi-final between fourth and fifth.

       

Confused? It should all become clearer come 5pm on Sunday.

       

The newly re-introduced top five system provides tangible rewards for each finishing position, which provides added excitement to this weekend’s action.