Three and far from easy

YORK, Oldham and Hunslet, in that order, are locked in their own little battle at the top of Kingstone Press Championship One.

There’s an eight-point gap between third-placed Hunslet and Hemel Stags, in fourth, so there are two distinctly separate scraps going on to determine final positions for the top-five play-off.

Any two of the current top three will be given the easiest route to the final, while Hemel, Gloucester and Gateshead are locking horns to see who qualifies in fourth and fifth.

Serious though it was in terms of pulling the rug from beneath the feet of the club’s PR department, to say nothing of kicking fans in the teeth, the Roughyeds’ heavy defeat at York only marginally affected any chance the club has of achieving its Holy Grail — promotion to the new 12-club Championship.

Only the play-off winners go up, so the whole season’s work is going to hinge on what happens when Oldham clash again with York or Hunslet, or maybe both, in the play-offs.

As a pointer to what lies ahead in September, Sunday’s Oldham v Hunslet clash at Whitebank (3pm) is an interesting one.

There are some advantages to be gained from finishing in the top two, so both clubs will be anxious to pick up three points in order to stick with York, who appear favourites now to finish first.

More than that, Oldham desperately need to win back the faith and confidence of supporters and there would be no better way of doing that than by avenging their 38-12 defeat at Hunslet on Good Friday and keeping intact their unbeaten record at Whitebank.

Scott Naylor’s men are not alone in suffering the odd setback.

York have been beaten three times — at Oldham, admittedly by one point; at Gloucester; and, most astonishingly, at home to next-to-bottom Oxford.

Hunslet have also come unstuck three times — at home to York, away to York (40-0, no less) and at home to Gloucester.
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