Obviously our main concern this weekend is the visit of Batley. They turned us over in difficult circumstances on their own patch and we will need to be a lot better on Sunday than we were at the Mount if we want to get a result. Hopefully we wont have Rangi Chase at fullback this weekend! If we'd had a genuine fullback that afternoon we would have won comfortably IMO.

However, the tie of the round definitely seems to be Broncos vs Bulls and it is a fixture that could have big implications at the top of the table.

Current Championship standings are as follows:

# Team Pl W D L F A Pts B Odds
1 Leigh Centurions 11 9 1 1 400 224 19 0
2 London Broncos 11 9 0 2 291 179 18 0
3 Bradford Bulls 10 6 2 2 342 208 14 0
4 Batley Bulldogs 11 6 1 4 253 237 13 0
5 Featherstone Rovers 10 6 0 4 232 162 12 0
6 Halifax RLFC 11 6 0 5 264 213 12 0

If we win on Sunday (by no means assured!!) then a London win would see the pair of us pull clear of Bradford at the top. Leigh 7pts clear and London 6pts.

A Bradford win would leave us 5pts clear of the Bulls and 3pts clear of London. Bradford do have a game in hand though!

IMO a Bradford win would increase our chances of finishing top. However, under the current format top 2 is the most crucial achievement in the league and I reckon a London win will be the best result in that regard.

What do we reckon would be the better result for the Leythers?

I realise that we are only half way through the season and I might be reading a bit much into it! Also now I have started this thread we will definitely lose to Batley and I will end up looking a bit silly

We wouldn't have beaten Broncos without Rangi although the ref didn't give anyone a level playing field. Bradford seem to love a draw.

Game of the season for Bradford, assuming they want things to be in their own hands. That gap as you rightly point out would widen considerably into a three win gap.

Possible ranges of league positions after this weekend look like thishttp://i.imgur.com/eDZccnn.png" >

Fwiw, Batley have lost all their impetus since the Kear / Wakefield connection was announced. I don't think they've won a point since then.

Should be a cracker.. I can't call it.


Edit: Would have been a cracker.

Table 5pm Saturday all been well

1 Leigh Centurions 21
2 London Broncos 20
3 Bradford Bulls 10 6 2 2 342 208 14 0
4 Halifax RLFC 11 6 0 5 264 213 14 0
5 batley 10 6 0 4 232 162 1 0
6 Fev scum 12

A draw would be a good result for Leigh ,that's presuming we beat Batley

A bit harsh the Fev reference,they do have some very good fans as well.

As I said before if we can't comprehensively beat a sliding Batley at home when we "owe them" then I'll start to question our style of play, especially when they've got Catalans visiting them the following Friday.

What we shouldn't also overlook is that we have to play Bradford twice yet, home & summer bash and they are getting their groove back again.

London, where we have to go away, have been looking quite formidable so the outcome of this fixture is of particular interest.

From a pure mathematics outlook I'd prefer a London win.

As far as I am concerned a London Village/Broncos/Fulham/Etc, Etc win would be best for LCRLFC.
A Broncos win would widen the gap to Bradford Bulls creating a cushion & FWIW I don't believe London will go the rest of the season unbeaten.
Another loss for Bulls could knock their confidence & unsettle their team ahead of the Blackpool Bash which again 'could' help Leigh.

Wasn't called Fev scum when donating to L.I.S.A. bucket collection fund to keep your great club going about 4yr ago.
Then again, it says alot about you with your childish user name.

I personally appreciate your efforts from back then when players weren't getting paid 3.6494140625:5