Championship run-in set for thrilling conclusion

Batley Bulldogs’ dramatic last-gasp draw against Halifax saw them draw level on 35 points with the Rams, while Haven are just two points behind in seventh.

Sheffield occupy the eighth and final play-off spot but have a game in hand on the sides above them and can draw level with Dewsbury and Batley.

Doncaster’s superb 24-16 victory over Leigh, which ended the Centurions’ 18-match unbeaten start to the season, earned them Kingstone Press performance of the week.

Fourth placed Doncaster have opened up an eight-point lead over Dewsbury and Batley, with seven matches to play.

Leigh remain 10 points clear of second placed Featherstone, with Halifax and Doncaster two further behind.

It appears the top four will jostle for key play-off places in the coming weeks, with a tense battle brewing in a bid for the remaining top eight spots.

Victory for Dewsbury at North Wales this Sunday would all but consign the Crusaders to relegation back to Championship One.

Barrow are already likely to be relegated by the time they visit Tetley’s Stadium on July 27, with Dewsbury then travelling to Halifax on August 3.

Rochdale are another side battling against the drop and visit Dewsbury on August 10 before the Heavy Woollen derby at Batley (August 17).

Dewsbury’s final home game is against Keighley on August 31 and the Rams end at Workington on September 7.