Championship RL results and round-up: Featherstone Rovers given warning ahead of play-offs as Barrow Raiders claim vital win

The regular season in the Betfred Championship is all but over with just a wait for the postponed game between Sheffield and the relegated Dewsbury to come which will not impact the play-off picture.

But what does the play-off picture now look like at the end of 27 rounds? Well Leigh will certainly be top and they finished the regular campaign with a somewhat quintessential win this time over play-off rivals Batley.

They won 64-6 with Kai O’Donnell, Krisnan Inu and Aaron Smith all scoring braces as Inu kicked 10 goals from 11 attempts. Tom Gilmore was the only try for the Bulldogs who finish the season in fifth on points difference.

Featherstone finish in second and will also receive a week off as consequence as they progress to the semi-finals. However, they were given a warning shot by the third place Halifax Panthers.

The Panthers today trailed 12-24 at the break after tries from Junior Moors, Jack Broadbent, Tom Lineham and Joey Leilua but the Panthers battled back and came within just two points and thus will back themselves should they meet the Rovers in the semi-finals.

Fellow play-off side York City Knights enjoyed a comprehensive win over Workington as they scored 13 tries in a 74-12 win in Workington’s last game as a Championship side with Liam Harris scoring a hat-trick.

The final play-off side Barrow Raiders also finished the season with a win but it was much tougher away at London for the Raiders as they defeated the Broncos 30-20 with Tee Ritson backing another brace.

The win is vital for the Raiders as it’ll give them home advantage against Batley in next week’s play-offs as Halifax host sixth place York.

In today’s only game with no play-off sides involved saw John Kear’s new side Widnes down his former side Bradford to end the Bulls’ disappointing season with a defeat.

In the round’s only other game with no play-off side involved on Saturday night Whitehaven finished the year with a 40-24 win over Newcastle Thunder.

Results:

Sheffield Eagles P-P Dewsbury Rams
Whitehaven 40-24 Newcastle Thunder
Leigh Centurions 64-6 Batley Bulldogs
Halifax Panthers 22-24 Featherstone Rovers
London Broncos 20-30 Barrow Raiders
York City Knights 74-12 Workington Town
Bradford Bulls 10-23 Widnes Vikings