No second for Bradford Bulls as York and Featherstone huge

While one key issue was decided in the play-off race, which was bad news for the Bradford Bulls another is still very much up for grabs ahead of the final round this coming weekend.

Let us begin with a surprise derby-day result yesterday.

HALIFAX 14 BULLS 10

Bradford were so wasteful in attack at The Shay yesterday, and that profligacy allowed their hosts to record a shock victory over their bitter rivals.

Halifax’s 14-10 win was decisive at both ends of the table, as it ensured the Panthers are officially safe from relegation from League 1, while also confirming Bulls will finish third.

That means Eamon O’Carroll’s side will now have to play in a home eliminator (effectively a play-off quarter-final) on the first weekend of October against whichever side comes sixth.

WIDNES 12 TOULOUSE 18

And Bulls’ defeat confirms that Toulouse will finish second in the table behind runaway leaders Wakefield.

That gives the French side a guaranteed home semi-final, which will be against Bradford if O’Carroll’s men win their play-off eliminator.

Yet Bradford looked to be in the box seat at half-time in this game on Saturday evening, with Widnes 12-0 in front.

Defeat for Toulouse would have allowed Bradford to overtake them with a win against Halifax, but the visitors clawed their way back to claim a narrow win.

It was an agonising defeat for Widnes, who have dropped outside of the play-offs into seventh, needing to win at Barrow on the final day to return to the top six.

SHEFFIELD 24 YORK 26

Barrow need that win themselves, or else they are at risk of being overtaken by Swinton on the final day and falling into that dreaded 12th position, which would leave them needing to beat the League 1 play-off winners to stay up.

But Widnes should be guaranteed a top six slot if they come out on top because fourth-placed York and fifth-placed Featherstone face off in North Yorkshire on the final day.

Both are only a point ahead of Widnes, so whoever loses would be overtaken at the last if the Vikings are victorious in Cumbria.

York held off a late fightback on Friday night to win at sixth-placed Sheffield, who are also on the same points as the Vikings and Fev.

York celebrate scoring in their narrow win at Sheffield on Friday night. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography.)

Sheffield know a win guarantees them a spot in the top six on the final day, and they will be glad to be at rock-bottom Dewsbury, who have only won once in the league all season.

FEATHERSTONE 50 DEWSBURY 12

And that win for the Rams did not come at Post Office Road on Saturday, as Featherstone beat them with ease.

It was vital for Fev to bounce back after their damaging home defeat to Sheffield the previous weekend, and this result lifted them back into the play-offs at Widnes’ expense.

Of the quartet still fighting for the final three play-off spots, York are the ones in form, so it will require a mighty effort for Rovers to claim the two points at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday.

BETFRED CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF RACE (AFTER 25 OF 26 MATCHES):

2. Toulouse 35PTS (+350)

3. Bradford 32PTS (+245)

4. York 28PTS (+172)

5. Featherstone 28PTS (+132)

6. Sheffield 28PTS (+120)

7. Widnes 27PTS (+74)

At the other end of the table, 13th-placed Whitehaven will be automatically relegated alongside Dewsbury after the Cumbrians lost at Batley yesterday.

Haven could still finish level with Swinton, but the latter have a vastly superior points difference, which will not be overhauled on the final day.

That win for Batley rubberstamped their Championship safety alongside Halifax, meaning both at least have something to celebrate after a disappointing season.