🤝 York RLFC Match Previews are proudly partnered by David Lloyd York!
York Knights will be seeking to reach Wembley Stadium for the second time in three years as they host Batley Bulldogs in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Semi-Finals on Sunday afternoon (12pm) at the LNER Community Stadium.
York last visited Wembley in the 2021 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, falling to a narrow 41-34 defeat to current Betfred Championship leaders Featherstone Rovers in the Club’s first appearance at the national stadium in 90 years.
The Knights have put themselves within 80 minutes of a return to Wembley thanks to Betfred Challenge Cup victories over West Bowling (52-12), Sheffield Eagles (26-24) and Newcastle Thunder (22-18), sealing the side’s spot in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Semi-Finals.
The Knights were handed arguably the toughest possible tie for the Semi-Finals, as the draw pitted them against Batley, who currently occupy third spot in the Betfred Championship, trailing second-placed full-time outfit Toulouse Olympique on just points different.
The Bulldogs, who have won 13 of their 19 league matches to date, earned a spot in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup thanks to wins over Wath Brow Hornets (60-0), Hunslet ARLFC (6-80) and Keighley Cougars (34-16) in the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Since that triumph over Keighley, Craig Lingard’s side have recorded eight wins from their following 10 league matches, suffering defeats to only in-form London Broncos (18-20) at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium and away at the Stade Ernest Wallon to Toulouse (34-12) last weekend.
A 48-6 thrashing of Swinton Lions at Heywood Park and a 42-0 home rout of fellow Play-Off contenders Halifax Panthers have been particular highlights during Batley’s string of strong results.
But the West Yorkshire club have retained their edge in tight affairs, beating Toulouse 17-16, Halifax 12-20 and York 14-8, in the most recent meeting of the two clubs in June.
While Batley head to the LNER Community Stadium in high spirits, York will equally take confidence from a run of three straight league wins over Halifax (28-18), Keighley (10-50) and Sheffield Eagles (23-18).
Having beaten two of the top six within the past three weeks, the Knights will be hopeful of securing another upset as well as a place at Wembley Stadium.
York Knights will be seeking to secure a second Wembley Stadium appearance in three years when they host Batley Bulldogs in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Semi-Final on Sunday (12pm).
General admission Adult tickets are priced at £20, Concession tickets at £15 and Under-16s are FREE. General admission tickets can be purchased HERE. To book your Hospitality tickets, please email info@yorkrlfc.com, visit the Club Shop (Opening Hours: 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday) or call 01904 670880. #RiseUp | #WeAreYork
Comments