Fri 18th-Sat 19th Apr: The Betfred League One Match Thread

[League Express]

Discuss this weekend's games here.

FRIDAY 18th APRIL
Dewsbury Rams v Newcastle Thunder KO 15:00
Keighley Cougars v Goole Vikings KO 18:30
Rochdale Hornets v Swinton Lions KO 15:00
Workington Town v Whitehaven KO 15:00

SATURDAY 19th APRIL
Midlands Hurricanes v North Wales Crusaders KO 14:00

[Dovster]

Another very difficult week to predict. Plenty could go either way.

Definitely hoping for a first win for the Cougars this week. expecting a very tough close game.

Rams by 30

Cougars by 6

Lions by 4

Town by 2

Crusaders by 2

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

Crusaders only away winners (not that I'm biased, you understand).

[Barley Mow]

Dewsbury Rams v Newcastle Thunder - Dewsbury by 38
Keighley Cougars v Goole Vikings - Keighley by 8
Rochdale Hornets v Swinton Lions - Rochdale by 8
Workington Town v Whitehaven - Draw
Midlands Hurricanes v North Wales Crusaders - N Wales by 4

[gogledd]

Rams is the only really predictable win (sorry Thunder fans) so I'll say wins for

Rams, Vikings, Lions and Workington (a narrow victory, with home advantage) but any of these game could go either way.

Crusaders game at Midlands is going to be a tough encounter, but I'm hoping our squad is well prepared and ready for the big units in the Midlands pack. I think we can do it...but it will be close.

[Yorks Tim]

Dewsbury Rams v Newcastle Thunder 42-12
Keighley Cougars v Goole Vikings 22-18
Rochdale Hornets v Swinton Lions 22-18
Workington Town v Whitehaven 22-18
Midlands Hurricanes v North Wales Crusaders 22-18

I think Midlands can beat anyone in this division now - home or away - but results against Crusaders will always be an important measure of how far we have come since they pushed on at a time when Coventry Bears's progress was stalling. Will admit to being a little nervous about this fixture but that's because of what went before and not because of Mark Dunning's achievements with the current squad. 

Should be a cracker!

[Billy King's Boots]

Dewsbury by 40
Goole by 6
Haven by 12
Midlands by 12

 

And Hornets to win the Andy Mazey Derby by 14

[gogledd]

18 hours ago, Yorks Tim said:

I think Midlands can beat anyone in this division now - home or away - but results against Crusaders will always be an important measure of how far we have come since they pushed on at a time when Coventry Bears's progress was stalling. Will admit to being a little nervous about this fixture but that's because of what went before and not because of Mark Dunning's achievements with the current squad. 

Should be a cracker!

I remember that Coventry Bears beat Crusaders at least once, and one was at a Cru home game in Chester! Midlands will definitely be a team our coach will have targetted so, while we wont agree about our predictions, we will agree that the game should be a cracker!

[homeandawayer]

Have the RFL still not decided what to do about the points gained from wins against Cornwall ??  surely there was something in place for this eventuality.

[Phil W]

Wins for Dewsbury, Whitehaven, Rochdale, Keighley and Midlands. Some very good games this week which I've had a look ahead to with my main focus as usual on Thunder.

https://www.philworld.co.uk/post/dewsbury-rams-v-newcastle-thunder-and-league-1-preview

[preid]

1 hour ago, Phil W said:

Wins for Dewsbury, Whitehaven, Rochdale, Keighley and Midlands. Some very good games this week which I've had a look ahead to with my main focus as usual on Thunder.

https://www.philworld.co.uk/post/dewsbury-rams-v-newcastle-thunder-and-league-1-preview

To me this is one of the flaws of the dual registration system, in my opinion a player should be sent to a club and can only then move onto another club if they're going up a league. To be playing for one team one week and another the next is a bit of a farce.

So true. This should be shouted from the rooftops. It's totally wrong ! 

Separately, as suggested before,be good to flag up next week your Workington match on as many relevant threads as possible. Doing so plus associated word of mouth could draw many visitors which would be fantastic. Maybe mention kick-off time and especially best ways to get to the ground too. Well done 

[Anita Bath]

20 hours ago, Billy King's Boots said:

Dewsbury by 40
Goole by 6
Haven by 12
Midlands by 12

 

And Hornets to win the Andy Mazey Derby by 14

Or Manchester North v Manchester North West…think of the marketing opportunities…A Manchester Derby in RL.

[LeeF]

On 17/04/2025 at 13:46, homeandawayer said:

Have the RFL still not decided what to do about the points gained from wins against Cornwall ??  surely there was something in place for this eventuality.

Results will stand. 

Workington postponed their home game against Cornwall so will be deducted 2 points as it was only a bit of water

Final table will be on a percentage basis 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some or all of the above may not be true. 

[Bearman]

2 hours ago, LeeF said:

Results will stand. 

Workington postponed their home game against Cornwall so will be deducted 2 points as it was only a bit of water

Final table will be on a percentage basis 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some or all of the above may not be true. 

No, it's true. I read it on here. After all this IS the TRL fans forum

[dkw]

3 hours ago, LeeF said:

Results will stand. 

Workington postponed their home game against Cornwall so will be deducted 2 points as it was only a bit of water

Final table will be on a percentage basis 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some or all of the above may not be true. 

All right, who gave LeeF's login details to Nigel Woods 

[OriginalMrC]

Congratulations to Goole on their first ever win and beating Cougars at their place. Goole have been competitive so was only a matter of time before they won. Cougars sink lower, and while the owners saved the club it's clear they have mismanaged it for some time 

[LeeF]

1 hour ago, dkw said:

All right, who gave LeeF's login details to Nigel Woods 

He only popped round to borrow a chair

[FearNothing]

Surely the only way to deal with Cornwall pulling out means that any results should be expunged from league points and PTS difference!??

And really hoping Cru turn over hurricanes today

[LeeF]

1 hour ago, FearNothing said:

Surely the only way to deal with Cornwall pulling out means that any results should be expunged from league points and PTS difference!??

And really hoping Cru turn over hurricanes today

Maybe in your world but this is Rugby League where anything goes

[Gomersall]

 

[FearNothing]

Good win from Cru today, shame Dalli didn't bring his kicking boots for the extra pts difference but I'll take that all day. Still unbeaten (so far )

[preid]

25 minutes ago, FearNothing said:

Good win from Cru today, shame Dalli didn't bring his kicking boots for the extra pts difference but I'll take that all day. Still unbeaten (so far )

This isn't meant in any way negative but how do you and other NW fans view the lack of actual Welsh players in your squad, I think there are just three with one in today's 17 ? Just curious as to whether it impacts on attendances in that locals would support more if were more genuinely Welsh players. I know the distance to South Wales is too great but are there so few in the North of the country ? I guess Huw Worthington, for example, wants to play Championship but if you did go up shouldn't he be the type of player to recruit. Thanks

[Bearman]

Hurricanes were at 12 --0coming up to half time and pushing to go further when Matt Reid pinched an interception on the hooter.

Then whatever Carl Forster said certainly worked. Cru dominated the second half and with 20 unanswered point took it to 12-24.

The Hurricanes flattered to deceive with a converted try 18-24 with 8 minutes to go. A drop goal from Dally probably would have clinched it but another try on the hooter gave the Cru a deserved win.18-31.

League 1 is a belting competition this season.

 

[Yorks Tim]

What Ron said above but also a proud day for Midlands in this being the first time that the opposition fans have sung 'Top of the league? You're having a laugh!' at us. 

Got to be there for that to apply!

 

 

 

 

[Anita Bath]

Got to love it, top of the table clash and neither team anywhere near the M62.

 

Well done to both teams.