Keighley Cougars v Newcastle Thunder and the rest of League 1 preview

Before I get onto this week's action, disappointingly there was nothing agreed at the joint meeting of Championship and League 1 clubs this week. The wait goes on for clubs and fans alike to understand how next season will look.

Keighley Cougars v Newcastle Thunder

Newcastle Thunder travel to Keighley to take on a hot and cold Keighley outfit on Sunday afternoon. Keighley's win at Blaydon earlier in the season proved to be the boost they needed to give them some improved form in the second half of the season. For those at that game know what Keighley will bring although there has been some changes since then with ex Thunder man Jack Potter moving on to Rochdale and replaced by Matty Beharrell. Livewire winger Billy Walkley has also moved on.

Keighley are a typical League 1 outfit who will have powerful runners, for Thunder it's going to be a case of trying to stick in the game and frustrate Keighley for as long as possible. As I said earlier in the season this Keighley squad is better on paper than their league position shows.

For Thunder, it was good to see the team take a couple of chances in attack last week. Bailey Antrobus is a new face in the squad from York this weekend, he'll look to add some power to Thunder alongside fellow York man Jacob Gannon who carried hard last weekend. Woody Walker who again carried hard last week and fellow Castleford man Alfie Horwell are both confirmed at Thunder for the rest of the season. It's going to be good to have a bit of continuity for the rest of the season.

Thunder can cause Keighley problems but they need to be more clinical when they get their chances unlike when they played Keighley earlier in the season. Thunder have shown improvement in the first half in recent weeks and the plan has to be similar to stay in the game and fight for as long as possible. Then work through and complete sets to give themselves a break from the hard work of defending.

Dewsbury Rams v Workington Town

This is a big game at Dewsbury as fourth host third. Dewsbury have shown that it's a difficult place to go with Swinton losing there a couple of games ago. I think home advantage is key here and can see Dewsbury edging this, but if they drop off like they did in the second half at Newcastle last week they are vulnerable to a Workington team who are having a good season.

Goole Vikings v Swinton Lions

Goole are back after a week off, they're at home again and will want to put in a much better performance than last time out against Rochdale. Swinton on the other hand had an excellent win at North Wales. With that kind of form, I can't see past a Swinton win here, but I do expect Goole to come out all guns blazing.

Rochdale Hornets v North Wales Crusaders

I think this one will be tight, North Wales will be looking to put some things right after their home loss to Swinton last weekend. Rochdale won against Whitehaven although it was tighter than most thought it would be. I do think this Rochdale side is better than their league position shows. I'm going to go against popular opinion here and say Rochdale will edge it at home.

Whitehaven v Midlands Hurricanes

Midlands make the trip to Whitehaven knowing they have to win in a very tight play-off race. Whitehaven are struggling lately but to their credit showed some heart in defeat at Rochdale last weekend. I think Midlands will take this one but Whitehaven's never an easy place to go and travel could play its part.