Kick off your Magic Weekend with Magic Friday in Betfred League One as Newcastle host Workington!
It’s turning out to be an extremely competitive division in 2025, and Round 8 of Betfred League One will get underway on Friday night, when Newcastle Thunder host Workington Town at Blaydon RFC.
It’s Magic Friday once more – ahead of the Betfred Super League’s epic Magic Weekend extravaganza at St James’ Park.
For Rugby League fans attending Magic Weekend in the Toon, why not get your Magic Friday night fix of third tier action?
Blaydon is only a short trip from the Toon!
We’re ready for a big weekend of entertainment in the Northeast, with Thunder showing impressive signs against Goole Vikings last Sunday, as they produced one of their best performances of the season, according to head coach Chris Thorman.
They will welcome Workington to the city to kick off a blockbuster Bank Holiday – and it’s a side who are searching for a fourth win in a row. But who will come out on top in this enticing Round 8 clash?
On Saturday, Rochdale will take on Goole. The teams come into this game with confidence and momentum swinging in their favour, having both won their last two matches. Who will make it three wins on the spin?
There are no previous meetings between the two sides – and it’s an important two points on offer, with Hornets eagerly eyeing up top spot and the Vikings equally as ambitious in wanting to climb up the league ladder and be in the Play-Off mix at the business end of the year.
On Sunday, Whitehaven go head-to-head with Dewsbury in Cumbria. Both sides fell to heavy defeats in the previous round, so will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.
The winner of this game will leapfrog the other in the table, as they are currently level on eight league points apiece.
Haven have won their last five meetings with Dewsbury, and their most recent meeting was closely contested, with the Cumbrian side grinding out a memorable 10-18 victory on the road with limited squad numbers.
The final tie of Round 8 sees an unbeaten North Wales travel to Swinton. The Crusaders are flying with confidence at the top of the League One table but only one point separates themselves and Midlands, whilst they are just two points ahead of Whitehaven, Rochdale, Dewsbury and Swinton.
It all could change in the blink of an eye, especially with their game against the Lions this weekend.
Recent history shows that the Crusaders are undefeated in their last four away meetings with Swinton, having won three and drawn one – although the Lions did enjoy a comfortable 12-40 win in Cowlyn Bay last season.
Either way, it’s going to be a cracker!
Betfred League One Round 8 fixtures:
Newcastle Thunder v Workington Town
Rochdale Hornets v Goole Vikings
Whitehaven v Dewsbury Rams
Swinton Lions v North Wales Crusaders
Keighley Cougars and Midlands Hurricanes – Bye weeks
For the first time in 2025 Rugby League fans can play the Betfred League One Predictor - make your predictions on the Rugby League website here or in the Our League app now! Download the Our League app on iOS or on Android to start playing!
The Betfred League One full fixture list can be found here.
Photo Credit: Newcastle Thunder
