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Betfred League 1 Preview – Round 16

July 21, 2022

Cornwall host Swinton while Keighley travel to Midlands – Touchlinepics

Betfred League 1 moves into its 16th round this weekend with Cornwall’s home match against Swinton Lions kicking the action off on Saturday. 

The Choughs will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to table topping Keighley last time out. Swinton, meanwhile, know that victory could take them into second place for a couple of hours at least. 

North Wales Crusaders, who currently sit behind the Cougars, are also in action on Saturday with Hunslet the visitors to Colwyn Bay.

Sandwiched between the two aforementioned matches, West Wales Raiders, who currently prop up the rest, entertain fellow strugglers Oldham at Stebonheath Park.

Cornwall’s clash with the Lions kicks off at 2.00pm with Neil Kelly’s side still licking their wounds from a 68-0 defeat to Keighley last time out. Mo Agoro (3) and Junior Sa’u led the way for the title elect as they scored 34 points in each half to ease home.

Despite the lop-sided scoreline, Cornwall battled manfully against a side that many feel would be in the play-off mix for the Championship, whilst competing in League 1.

Across the Pennines at Heywood Road whilst Keighley and Cornwall were locking horns, Swinton entertained Midlands Hurricanes last weekend. 

In sweltering temperatures, the Lions ran out 54-22 winners although at half time, the hosts only led by eight points. Hooker George Roby led the way with a magnificent four-timer of tries with Swinton scoring nine in total.

For the Hurricanes, scrum-half Ben Stead impressed and finished the match with an impressive ten point haul – three goals and a try.

An hour after the scheduled start of Cornwal’s clash with Swinton begins, West Wales will be eyeing the visit of Oldham as a real chance to move off the bottom of the standings.

The Raiders were hammered 76-4 at home by Welsh rivals North Wales Crusaders in round 15 with the away side scoring 13 tries. Despite Rob Massam’s second half sin bin for a dangerous tackle, the Crusaders scored at will and were led by braces from winger Scott Turner and centre Matthew Reid.

Oldham, who have already suffered one shock defeat this term to London Skolars, will be hoping history does not repeat itself in Llanelli.

Stuart Littler’s side, on the back of consecutive home defeats, are now consigned to missing out on the play-offs. After their second half capitulation against Rochdale in round 14, the hangover continued last weekend as Doncaster scored 46 unanswered points in the opening 40 minutes at Whitebank.

The Don’s eased up during the second stanza and Oldham did manage two tries of their own but the Roughyeds were still on the end of a 64-12 loss.

Completing the three fixtures on Saturday, Hunslet are the tea time visitors to Stadium Erias to face North Wales.

The Parksiders, inspired by new recruit Matty Beharrell, were too strong for London Skolars and prevailed 43-16 at the South Leeds Stadium last Sunday. 

The capital outfit are on the road again this weekend when they travel to Rochdale Hornets who have benefited from their scheduled break week. Doncaster are the team to sit out in round 16.

Finally, the round of fixtures is completed when Keighley’s promotion bandwagon rolls on to Portway where Rhys Lovegrove’s troops will be searching for a 15th consecutive win against eighth placed Midlands Hurricanes.