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York Knights will be bidding to book their place in the Betfred Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals when they visit Bradford Bulls at Odsal Stadium on Sunday (6.30pm).
York completed a stunning turnaround in their 2023 season last weekend, beating Barrow Raiders 31-18 at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium to leapfrog Halifax Panthers in sixth place and the division’s final Play-Off spot.
Having sat 12th and nine points adrift of the top six at the end of Round 16, a run of 10 wins from their final 11 matches had secured the Knights’ place in the Betfred Championship Play-Offs for the second season running - a new first for the Club since reformation in 2002.
Andrew Henderson’s side will also be hoping to match last year’s accomplishment of reaching the Betfred Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals with victory away to Bradford.
York upset the odds to come from behind and defeat Halifax Panthers 26-24 at The Shay Stadium in the Play-Off Eliminators last year, before suffering a Semi-Final exit to eventual promotion winners Leigh Leopards, the now reigning Betfred Challenge Cup holders.
The Knights were considered as significant underdogs on their trip to Halifax last year, but will head to West Yorkshire this weekend, having beaten Bradford twice already in 2023, including a triumph at Odsal earlier this month.
The two sides were locked at 8-8 heading into the contest’s dying stages before a Conor Fitzsimmons try and two Liam Harris goals were enough to give the Knights a valuable two points just three weeks ago.
Back in February’s reverse fixture, York also came out on top. Tries from Will Jubb, Jon Luke Kirby, Ronan Michael and Josh Daley - alongside eight James Glover goals - saw the Knights begin their home campaign at the LNER Community Stadium in style thanks to a 32-16 win, having twice fallen behind amid David Foggin-Johnston and Bodene Thompson scores.
While Henderson’s men have tasted success already this year against the former Betfred Super League champions, Bradford have won back-to-back matches to secure third place at the end of the regular season.
Back-to-back defeats to Featherstone Rovers and York had left Bradford in a seemingly precarious position in the Play-Offs, but the Bulls won narrow contests on the road at fellow top-six sides London Broncos (10-12) and Sheffield Eagles (16-17) to claim their highest league finish for eight years.
York Knights take on Bradford Bulls in the Betfred Championship Play-Off Eliminators on Sunday (6.30pm) at Odsal Stadium and tickets can be purchased online HERE.
York RLFC would like to encourage Knights supporters to purchase Away Standing tickets, which are priced at £20 for Adults and £17 for Concessions when bought before matchday, with the Club receiving a share of these tickets sold. Tickets for Under-18s are FREE.
Ticket prices for Away Standing tickets rise to £22 for Adults and £19 for Concessions when purchased on matchday. Tickets are also available to purchase on the gate.
