This Week's Rugby League - Part Two

By The Man

The second round of the Easter campaign sees a full set of fixtures on Easter Monday and I have my own thoughts on this particular round. The Easter Thursday/Good Friday matches saw an awful lot of intensity in the games. Most of the games were real bruisers and many of the players will come in to the second round nursing a whole host of injuries and fatigue will be a factor. For this reason don't be surprised if there are a few shocks and maybe one or two blow outs. The Crusaders and Harlequins will be at a big advantage given that their game was postponed and I wouldn't be keen to oppose either of those two. Getting a twelve point start at Bradford for the Crusaders looks a little generous, however, I have a couple of juicer wagers from the lower leagues:
 
Oldham v Workington Town

 

5th April 15:00 GMT

With an odd number of teams in this division it was Workington who reaped the benefit of missing out on the first round of the Easter period and they will have had eight days preparation as opposed to the three for the home side.

Oldham will again be play-off contenders and they have started the season well but I don't see them as a team that can rattle up a big score against a decent Town outfit. They have got off to an unbeaten start to the league campaign but a 6pt victory at Rochdale on Friday is probably where they are in standard. If you want some form correlation Rochdale beat Town by 8pts which suggests Oldham should win in the teens but I see that as the very best they can do.

Workington have recruited well in the off season and they have started to put a half decent side on the pitch. I feel they will be more than competitive this season and a victory at Oldham wouldn't be totally out of the question.

I handicapped this one as Oldham by 12pts and the start on offer looks tasty to me.

Pick:  Workington Town +22 3pts @ 1.8 with Bet365

 
Halifax v Toulouse

 

5th April 18:00 GMT

On paper Halifax have a marvellous squad for this level but you don't win many matches on paper. Last season they got off to a flyer before the wheels fell off their season but this year it seems to have happened much earlier. They have had three consecutive defeats including a shock home one to lower league Hunslet. They have conceded masses of points in the process and I suspect all is not right in the camp.

Toulouse are no great shakes but they have beaten Dewsbury and Keighley in the cup which suggests although they will struggle they are capable. Heavy defeats to Barrow and Leigh has caused this high handicap as the bookmakers have reacted but Halifax are in no sort of form to warrant this line. I had Halifax winning in the mid teens. The stake isn't even higher because I accept that a firing Fax could cover. I'll take my chances, however, as they have shown nothing recently to suggest they will hit form.

Pick: Toulouse +32 3pts @ 2.0 with Bet365
 
The Man