All the talk after Wednesday’s meeting of the lower tier clubs was how would cancellation of the Super Eights affect them.
No play-offs to decide promotion, and no move up for the champions, have been described as a kick in the teeth for League One clubs.
Coincidentally, whether because of this decision or not, four of the top five teams were beaten in the latest round of matches.
The only winners were Workington Town who produced a very good performance to win 36-20 at Dewsbury.
Elsewhere long-time leaders North Wales Crusaders lost 20-16 at Rochdale; Swinton went down badly 28-4 at Goole and Midlands Hurricanes were beaten 26-16 at Whitehaven.
Whitehaven
Whitehaven ended their run of defeats with a deserved win against the Midlands Hurricanes.
Anthony Murray’s men had taken a 24-10 lead into the break, and although they could only add a second half penalty by Dan Abram they restricted the visitors to a converted try.
On loan Abram contributed four first-half conversions and a penalty eight minutes from time.
The first-half tries had come from Jack Kellett (2), Connor Holliday and Mitchell Todd.
Haven have contrasting games to finish the season. In a fortnight they go to bottom side Newcastle Thunder and then finish off at home to leaders North Wales Crusaders.
That final game will now be played 24 hours earlier on Saturday September 6.
This will be followed by the club’s end of season presentation evening held in the JJ McKeown Bar.
It’s quite a game to finish with, too, Crusaders are coached by former Whitehaven player coach Carl Forster who could be crowned League champions that weekend.
Whitehaven’s current coach Anthony Murray also had a successful spell in charge of the North Wales outfit.
Workington Town
Coincidence or not, Workington Town will have their eyes on a bit of silverware by finishing top of League One, even without any promotion.
With two games left they are only a point behind the Crusaders although North Wales do have three to play.
It was an excellent performance to beat the Rams, with the groundwork laid in the first half when they built a 22-4 lead.
Star of the show was full-back Zarin Galea who helped himself to a hat-trick while the most points on the day came from Jake Carter with five conversions, a penalty and a try.
The other two tries were scored by Castleford loanee Andy Djeukessi and Levi Atiga.
Barrow
End of season injuries have certainly contrived to sabotage the top six hopes in the Championship for Barrow.
They are now three points off the play-off berths with four games left.
Latest set-back was at Oldham were they trailed 22-12 at the break and at the final hooted the gap had only slightly widened to 44-30.
The Raiders scored five tries, all of which were converted by Brad Walker, who was making the 150th appearance of his career.
Ellis Robson and Ryan Johnston scored first-half tries for Paul Crarey’s men while Johnston, Joe Bullock and Luke Broadbent crossed in the second half.
