Oldham Stuns London Broncos to Shake Up Betfred Championship Standings as Playoff Race Intensifies

The 2026 Betfred Championship season has delivered its biggest shock yet. After an imperious 21-game unbeaten streak, the London Broncos have finally been toppled, falling 34-24 to Oldham RLFC at Boundary Park in Round 24.[1]

The result denies the Broncos the chance to secure the League Leaders' Shield this weekend and throws the top of the table into sharp relief. Oldham's stunning victory not only ended London's aura of invincibility but also strengthened the Roughyeds' grip on third place as the newly expanded 20-team competition hurtles toward the playoffs.[1]

The match itself was a pulsating, end-to-end affair. With the scores locked at 18-18, Oldham found another gear. Two tries from Tom Forber and a crucial score from Jake Bibby created a mountain that even the table-topping Broncos could not climb, sealing a famous win for the hosts.[1]

Despite the setback, London remains comfortably at the summit of the Betfred Championship with 42 points, boasting 21 wins and just one defeat. Their dominant campaign has been fueled by a revamped squad, including star Australian recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Papua New Guinea international Morea Morea, who currently leads the league in try-scoring.[2][3][4]

The chase pack, however, is closing the gap. Newcastle Thunder sits in second place with 38 points, matching Oldham's record of 19 wins and three losses, but holding a superior points difference. Newcastle's consistent form ensures that any further slip-ups from London will be heavily penalized.[2]

Doncaster RLFC also remains firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish. The Dons recently dismantled the Midlands Hurricanes 44-16, riding a wave of momentum following a historic 120-point victory the previous week. Tries from Connor Jones, Connor Robinson, and Reece Lyne secured their latest win, keeping them entrenched in the upper echelons of the table.[1]

Further down the ladder, the race for the final playoff spots in the new 10-team postseason format is equally fierce. Whitehaven boosted their top-ten hopes with a convincing 34-12 victory over the Dewsbury Rams, moving clear of the chasing pack and keeping their postseason dreams alive.[1]

Meanwhile, the Batley Bulldogs successfully defended the crucial tenth position. In a tense local derby against the Keighley Cougars, a last-gasp try from Nyle Flynn secured a 22-18 victory for Batley. The win leaves Dewsbury as the only side mathematically capable of catching the Bulldogs for that final playoff berth.[1]

The 2026 season has been defined by its sheer scale and unpredictability. Following the merger of the Championship and League One, the 20-team format has tested squad depth and resilience across the board. While London has set the pace for much of the year, Oldham's triumph proves that no team is untouchable as the road to the Grand Final on October 3-4 begins to take shape.[1][3]