This weekend just gone saw four Championship teams serve up classic play-off clashes.
First Barrow Raiders’ fairytale failed to live up to the happily ever after they dreamed of in a tight affair against Batley.
A cagey first half saw Jonny Campbell score the only try of the first 40 minutes on the stroke of halftime to make it 6-2 at the break to the Bulldogs.
Then tries for Alistair Leak either side of a response from the Raiders whose usually sharp attack with Tee Ritson, Hakim Miloudi and Jarrod Sammutt blunted by the Bulldogs as they progressed to the semi-finals once again having done so last year.
Then there was the matter who would join them and determine Batley’s semi-final opponents as third place Halifax hosted York. Halifax had recently run second place Featherstone close and were many people’s outside bet to make the Million Pound game.
However, despite leading 22-12 at the break thanks to a Lachlan Walmsley hat-trick, they lost 24-26 with a try from Leeds loanee Levi Edwards levelling matters before James Glover kicked two penalties to Joe Keyes’ one who hit the post in the 77th minute denying Halifax the chance to play in the semi-finals.
This means York will go to Leigh in the semi-finals having been beaten 100-4 by them in a recent fixture leaving a great story to be told in next week’s semi-final.
It means Batley will meet Featherstone in a West Yorkshire derby. Batley have been a thorn in Featherstone’s side this year and could upset the Rovers.
But when and where can you watch these two mouth watering semi-finals?
Leigh Centurions vs York City Knights
As league leaders Leigh look to make good on their favourites tag and return to Super League led by star players like Blake Ferguson, Edwin Ipape and Nene MacDonald.
This clash kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 25th September at the Leigh Sports Village with Premier Sports 1 showing the game from 1:30pm.
Featherstone Rovers vs Batley Bulldogs
Meanwhile, the somewhat written off but still star studded Featherstone Rovers are looking to make it to Super League at Leigh’s expense and will be expected to join them in the Million Pound game.
This game kicks off at 4pm with Premier Sports again showing the game from 3:45pm after Leigh v York.
