BREAKING NEWS UPDATE
In shock breaking news, Batley and Doncaster have had the three points recently deducted for fielding an ineligible DR player, reinstated.
After being presented with fresh evidence relating to previous historical breaches of Operational Rules by other clubs which had not faced similar sanctions, the Operational Rules Appeals Tribunal at Red Hall overturned the points deductions this afternoon (Thursday).
Clearly The has a major impact in the Championship relegation fight with Batley moving out of the drop zone thanks to their 73 points advantage over Whitehaven.
Indeed, despite having won a game more than Batley, 'Haven now have to overhaul the points difference in just two games -and rely on a Bulldogs slip-up to keep them in the Championship.
Batley's gain also pulls Workington and Keighley back into the mire, as two Batley and Whitehaven wins would exceed their current points totals if both clubs lose their remaining two games.
Workington go to Leigh on Saturday; on Sunday Batley host Swinton and Keighley travel to Dewsbury.
If Batley win (42 points) and Hornets pull off a win at the Recre' (Haven 39 with one game to play) Batley would only need a bonus point at Doncaster on the final day to sink Dave Wood's side.
Everything to play for then!
Official RFL Match Preview
Tom Carr (knee) is Whitehaven’s major doubt ahead of Sunday’s crucial Kingstone Press Championship clash with Rochdale Hornets. Whitehaven need two wins in their final two league fixtures if they are to secure their position in the second tier in 2015.
Coach Dave Woods said: “We’ve just got to concentrate on our own performance. We need to be confident and get three points.”
Hornets, who are one point above Swinton Lions and 10 points clear of Barrow Raiders, are determined to finish in 12th position. Coach Ian Talbot said: “We’ve got a target now of trying to stay out of the bottom two, and a result this week would go a long way to us doing that."
“We can then say that it’s the restructure that’s relegated us, because in a normal year we’d have survived if we stayed out of the bottom two.” He added: “We want to finish on a high, and get some confidence for next year."
“We’ve moved on from our Sheffield defeat, but we also know that any game up at Whitehaven is always tough. Brett Seymour is one to watch, they’ve some experience in the pack, and dangerous outside backs in guys like Jessie Joe Parker. It’ll be a good test for us.”
Talbot has no new injury concerns ahead of the trip north.
Official RFL Match Preview
Tom Carr (knee) is Whitehaven’s major doubt ahead of Sunday’s crucial Kingstone Press Championship clash with Rochdale Hornets. Whitehaven need two wins in their final two league fixtures if they are to secure their position in the second tier in 2015.
Coach Dave Woods said: “We’ve just got to concentrate on our own performance. We need to be confident and get three points.”
Hornets, who are one point above Swinton Lions and 10 points clear of Barrow Raiders, are determined to finish in 12th position. Coach Ian Talbot said: “We’ve got a target now of trying to stay out of the bottom two, and a result this week would go a long way to us doing that."
“We can then say that it’s the restructure that’s relegated us, because in a normal year we’d have survived if we stayed out of the bottom two.” He added: “We want to finish on a high, and get some confidence for next year."
“We’ve moved on from our Sheffield defeat, but we also know that any game up at Whitehaven is always tough. Brett Seymour is one to watch, they’ve some experience in the pack, and dangerous outside backs in guys like Jessie Joe Parker. It’ll be a good test for us.”
Talbot has no new injury concerns ahead of the trip north.
