Sat 27th Sept: Ch SF 1: York Knights v Halifax Panthers KO 18:00 (The Sportsman)

[League Express]

Sat 27th Sept: Ch SF 1: York Knights v Halifax Panthers KO 18:00

Discuss the game here.

Please don't accuse match officials of deliberate bias or cheating, or your posts will be removed and your account may be banned without further warning.

[Luke HKR]

York by 6

[Fevrover]

York but will be close. I want York to win but at least one team from Yorkshire will be in the final.

Edited September 24 by Fevrover

[Magicman]

Heart vs head on this one , no doubting York have had a great season and deservedly won the league, fax hitting a vein of form at the right time and all games have been pretty close this season, not sure on the halfback situation with Fax given woody failed his hia and whitby could feature for saints .

Head says York by 8 heart says fax by 2 .

[RBKnight]

York by one score - this should be an excellent game. I think Wellens has said that George Whitby will be available for Fax on Friday, which is a big boost for them.

Are Jouffret or Fagin fit for Fax, if JWH is unavailable ? (Not bad options to have at this short notice)

[The Duke]

It’s being streamed on the Sportsman, I’ve really enjoyed their coverage when they’ve streamed matches this season

ill be tuning in 

[The Hallucinating Goose]

5 hours ago, The Duke said:

It’s being streamed on the Sportsman, I’ve really enjoyed their coverage when they’ve streamed matches this season

ill be tuning in 

Thanks for this, just what I was coming on here to find out.

[The Blues Ox]

Going for Fax by 10 for this one. I just have a feeling, could be something I ate though.

[The Duke]

They’ve every chance have Halifax 

very impressed last week 

[Ainley Top]

I've tipped a Toulouse v Fax final and after watching a near perfect performance from Fax at Oldham i saw nowt to change my mind. It's 2-1 to York between the teams this season and i'll go with an away win to make it 2-2. Fax by eight.

[Gooleboy]

Potentially a very tight game, but I fancy Halifax to sneak it.

[Vyvyan]

York by 18.  They won't let this slip now.

[Fevrover]

Fax played well at Oldham but York aren't Oldham and i think they will be too good for Halifax in a good game.

[Bulls2487]

As much as it pains me to say it I can see Halifax getting the win

 

Edited September 25 by Bulls2487

[Harry Stottle]

I was throughly impressed with Fax with their victory over the much more fancied Oldham last week, they outfought, outenthused, and outwitted the opposition, if Whitby is not available for Fax he will be missed with his kicking game, but York will still have to overcome the resolute defence of Fax which was excellent, I fancy FAX in a close contest.

Can't help but think how much better these two semis would be if the conclusion of the comp was promotion to SL, irrespective of what Fax do even winning the comp, all they will have is the satisfaction of being GF winners whilst the other 3 competing teams in these semis could very well be performing in SL next term as losers in the Championship play offs, maybe its just me but I think success on the field over 'politics' should be rewarded, and a guaranteed place for the GF winners should have been a part of the criteria.

After season '26 when I fully expect there will be an amnesty for the 3 promoted clubs from being relegated after the 'invitational' promotions of '25, there will be a reinstatement of P&R between the Championship and SL in the '27 season.

Just my thoughts. 

[oiseau]

York 28 Fax 10

[georgeb1]

29 minutes ago, oiseau said:

York 28 Fax 10

Cheers , see you the following w/e.

[Gooleboy]

1 hour ago, Harry Stottle said:

I was throughly impressed with Fax with their victory over the much more fancied Oldham last week, they outfought, outenthused, and outwitted the opposition, if Whitby is not available for Fax he will be missed with his kicking game, but York will still have to overcome the resolute defence of Fax which was excellent, I fancy FAX in a close contest.

Can't help but think how much better these two semis would be if the conclusion of the comp was promotion to SL, irrespective of what Fax do even winning the comp, all they will have is the satisfaction of being GF winners whilst the other 3 competing teams in these semis could very well be performing in SL next term as losers in the Championship play offs, maybe its just me but I think success on the field over 'politics' should be rewarded, and a guaranteed place for the GF winners should have been a part of the criteria.

After season '26 when I fully expect there will be an amnesty for the 3 promoted clubs from being relegated after the 'invitational' promotions of '25, there will be a reinstatement of P&R between the Championship and SL in the '27 season.

Just my thoughts. 

Halifax not having Whitby might swing it in York's favour.

[RBKnight]

1 hour ago, Gooleboy said:

Halifax not having Whitby might swing it in York's favour.

It definitely would do, but as I mentioned higher up the thread, Wellens at Saints has indicated that Whitby will be available for Fax on Saturday.

The question is now who will partner him, as I'm sure a Fax fan on this forum said that Woodburn-Hall had failed an HIA against Oldham (apologies if I've got that wrong)

Sometimes having a sit-down for a week - as York have done - can be a mixed blessing, especially if opponents have recovered form and direction in their bye week.

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

York by 12.

[Harry Stottle]

1 hour ago, RBKnight said:

Sometimes having a sit-down for a week - as York have done - can be a mixed blessing, especially if opponents have recovered form and direction in their bye week.

Totally agree, but the critics and commentators seem to have mixed views, some saying the rest is good whilst others expressing lack of match game time and momentum is detrimental to preparations.

[Simon Hall]

8 minutes ago, Harry Stottle said:

Totally agree, but the critics and commentators seem to have mixed views, some saying the rest is good whilst others expressing lack of match game time and momentum is detrimental to preparations.

Last time York had a week off they followed it up with a 56-0 win, then a 52-12 win after that. 

 

[RBKnight]

11 minutes ago, Simon Hall said:

Last time York had a week off they followed it up with a 56-0 win, then a 52-12 win after that. 

 

Like you Simon, I don't expect this Knights team to drop their performance standards after a week off. Partly, that's because of a very settled spine, with McShane, Jordi Thompson, Harris, Hingano and Mata'afa locked in and working like clockwork 

Another factor will be bench strength, with the Knights again in an enviable position

 

[Rooney's Ears]

Looks like Woodburn-Hall misses out. Whitby allowed to play.

[Bull Mania]

Think Fax will be competitive, they've nothing to lose and a feel good, excitement about the team which always makes a dangerous opponent. IF Whitby starts pulling the strings, they've a chance. 

However like others have said, York are a different team to Oldham. They've been superb this year. Relentless is how I would describe them. York by 12 for me.