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Betfred League 1 Round Nine Preview
May 20, 2023
Betfred League 1 moves to its ninth round of 2023 this weekend with all fixtures taking place tomorrow (Sunday).
The action starts at Spotland in the early kick-off as Rochdale Hornets host Cornwall. Gary Thornton’s side will be hunting a third consecutive win after defeating winless sides North Wales Crusaders and London Skolars in their previous two outings.
Although the Hornets’ win over North Wales was comfortable, the triumph over London Skolars was anything but.
The capital outfit will view the 28-24 reverse as a case of what might have been after they blew a series of chances to win the game in the second half.
For Cornwall, they will be keen to bounce back from a game of two halves against Hunslet at the Mem last Saturday. The Choughs fell 12-0 down in the opening 25 minutes but before the break, had battled back to trail 12-10 after 40 minutes.
However, the second stanza emphatically belonged to Hunslet as the Parksiders recorded 42 unanswered points to ease home 54-10.
Hunslet, who currently occupy fourth place in the league and have the meanest defence in the competition so far this season, host Workington Town in the first of three matches to start at 3.00pm.
Town are also very much in the play-off picture after suffering relegation from the Championship last term. They eventually succumbed 28-18 to Oldham in a keenly contested Derwent Park clash in round eight.
Last time on the road, Anthony Murray’s side were defeated 46-6 by Doncaster.
Murray’s former club North Wales Crusaders have endured a torrid campaign so far and are yet to taste victory after six attempts.
They welcome Midlands Hurricanes to Stadiwm CSM with the visitors sitting just outside the play-off places. The Birmingham based outfit were thrashed by Hunslet in their last away game whilst on home soil at the Alexander Stadium Warm-Up Track, they edged past an ever-improving London Skolars side in round seven.
Skolars face a tough looking encounter on paper if their ‘0’ is to go. The New River side travel to Doncaster who themselves suffered a first defeat of the league season in round eight.
The latest round of games is completed at Whitebank as Oldham host undefeated league leaders Dewsbury.
Liam Finn’s Rams stole a march on their nearest rivals Doncaster after beating them at the Flair Stadium last Sunday. Oldham’s win against Workington sets up an intriguing clash that will, without doubt put the Roughyeds’ promotion credentials to the test.
A sell-out crowd of 1500 will pack Whitebank too after Oldham offered free entry for all supporters. Further evidence that one of rugby league’s most famous names are ready to rise again under new owners, led by club legend and former Great Britain international Mike Ford.
Betfred League 1 Fixtures
(Sunday, 3.00pm unless stated)
Doncaster vs London Skolars
Hunslet vs Workington Town
North Wales Crusaders vs Midlands Hurricanes
Oldham vs Dewsbury Rams
Rochdale Hornets vs Cornwall