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Betfred League 1 Round 17 Preview

July 29, 2022

Cornwall travel to London Skolars in round 17 – Patrick Tod

Fixtures in round 17 of Betfred League 1 will take place over three days this week with the action starting tonight at the South Leeds Stadium.

Midlands Hurricanes are Hunslet’s visitors with the Parksiders looking to continue their stranglehold on the final play-off place. Alan Kilshaw’s side were edged out 36-28 in a thrilling encounter at North Wales Crusaders last time out.

Macaulay Hallett’s early brace put the Yorkshire outfit ahead before the Crusaders, led by full-back Tommy Johnson’s opener, hit back. However, Hunslet came again and led 20-12 after 40 minutes.

The second stanza was an action packed affair with Crusaders overhauling the deficit to lead by four points when Johnson bagged his second alongside prolific winger Rob Massam’s four pointer.

But Hunslet found another gear and Leeds Rhinos loanee Mackenzie Turner, who made two appearances for Cornwall earlier this season, completed his hat-trick with 15 minutes left and the Parksiders led.

Into the final 10 minutes and North Wales dug deep to prevail thanks to tries from prop Callum Hazzard and interchange Brad Brennan.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, will travel north on the back of a 54-6 defeat to table toppers Keighley Cougars at Portway. The visitors scored 10 tries in a 54-6 win with braces for Aaron Levy, Toby Everett, Jack Miller and Alix Stephenson.

Hunslet host Midlands Hurricanes – Patrick Tod

For the first time in 43 days, Keighley saw their defensive line breached when Chris Cullimore scored five minutes before the break. Before Cullimore’s try, the last points Keighley conceded were here in the Duchy on June 12 when Aaron Jones-Bishop’s try, converted by Joe Purcell, saw Cornwall round off the scoring in a 56-12 home defeat. 

A day later on Saturday, Cornwall and London Skolars do battle at the New River Stadium. 

Both teams were defeated but encouraged at the same time in round 16. The Choughs went down 44-10 at the Memorial Ground to Swinton Lions with Jones-Bishop and Jamie Prisk crossing the whitewash. Purcell kicked one goal from two attempts.

The Skolars stunned Rochdale to lead 14-8 after 40 minutes at a rain-swept Spotland. Jarred Bassett, Jerome Yates and Harry Kaufman scored the Skolars’ tries with Phil Lyon clotting over one goal.

London’s cause was helped by three Rochdale players – Kieran Rush Fuifui Moimoi and Zac Baker – all spending time in the sin bin.

After the interval, Rochdale battled back to score 24 unanswered points as their playmaker Lewis Sheridan, who slotted in at full back due to Greg McNally’s absence, scored two tries. 

The round is completed on Sunday with three games taking place.

Promotion chasing Doncaster, who had a week off in round 16, welcome basement dwellers West Wales Raiders to the Eco-Power Stadium. In the corresponding fixture earlier this season, Doncaster were awarded a 48-0 win after West Wales were unable to find suitable medical cover.

Promotion chasing Doncaster welcome West Wales Raiders – Patrick Tod

The Raiders were eased aside 38-0 at Stebonheath Park by Oldham who were inspired by an 18-point haul from scrum-half Dave Hewitt.

The Roughyeds, who are eight points behind Hunslet in sixth, welcome North Wales Crusaders to Whitebank looking for just their third home win of the season.

Round 17 is completed at Spotland by Rochdale and Swinton with the two Lancashire rivals, who sit third and fourth in the standings, in fine form.

The Lions delivered a stunning opening burst against Cornwall last Saturday which paved the way for a fine away triumph while Rochdale finally overcame a stubborn London outfit. 

The final fixture of the weekend sees Rochdale Hornets welcoming Swinton Lions to the Crown Oil Arena. Kick-off is at 3:00 PM.

Swinton make the short trip to Rochdale Hornets – Patrick Tod

Rochdale sit fourth in the table with 11 wins from 14 League One matches this season. The Hornets have won their previous four matches; however, their last defeat did come against Swinton. Rochdale are a high scoring side as they have scored 32 or more points in five of their last fixtures.

Swinton are level on points with Rochdale, but they do sit above them in third due to points different. The two sides have similar attacks, as Swinton have scored only eight points more than Rochdale, however defensively the Lions have conceded nearly 100 fewer points. Swinton have only lost once away from home this season and that was against the unbeaten league leaders, Keighley Cougars.

Betfred League 1 Round 17 Fixtures – Sunday, 3.00pm unless stated

Hunslet vs Midlands Hurricanes (Friday, 7.45pm)

London Skolars vs Cornwall (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Doncaster vs West Wales Raiders

Oldham vs North Wales Crusaders

Rochdale Hornets vs Swinton Lions