As the season gets into full swing, all twelve Championship clubs continue to jockey for position in the scramble to assert their intentions for the year.
Interesting results came in abundance last weekend, none more so than Batley’s spectacular win over Leigh, but what can we expect to see this week?
Can Sheffield silence the doubters on new turf?
Sheffield’s match with Halifax is the perfect opportunity for them to really lay down a marker for the year in their first competitive game at the new SHU Sports Park.
After impressing against Workington in the season opener, a match against Fax provides them with a whole different challenge.
Many have doubted the Eagles given their overhaul of players, but a win at home to Fax would silence them.
Batley gunning for another giant killing
After their heroics against Leigh last week, the Bulldogs have set their sights on upsetting the apple-cart again when they travel to Featherstone on Sunday.
Fev were narrowly defeated by Bradford last week and will be keen to make a strong start on home turf, given that their form at the Big Fella’s Stadium effectively cost them a spot in the top four last year.
It makes it a tough task for John Kear’s side. But with confidence high, anything could happen.
Leigh’s backlash
If you have a heart, spare a thought for Oldham.
The Championship new-boys are in the unenviable position of facing Leigh, who still have the pain of losing to Batley fresh in the mind.
Say what you want about the Centurions, but they are a team with the potential to destroy most of the sides around them, and we might see that this weekend.
Welcome to Ealing
London’s new ground, the Trailfinders Sports Club, makes its Championship debut when the Broncos host Swinton at the weekend.
Andrew Henderson has finally managed to bring the club together at one location in Ealing, with the hope that London can begin their resurgence at the new complex.
In the short-term, London must do their talking on the pitch, and that starts against the Lions on Sunday.
The emergence of Jarrod Sammut
There was a very notable absence from the Workington team last weekend in the shape of halfback Sammut.
The former Bradford and Wakefield star was touch and go for the match as he continues to recover from wrist surgeries.
However he is expected to feature for Workington in their match against Dewsbury, a team he was heavily linked with in the off-season.
