YORK City Knights’ play-off conquerors Leigh Centurions have won promotion to the Betfred Super League.

Leigh were successful in their promotion push, beating Batley Bulldogs 44-12 at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.

The Centurions were the favourites of many to go up, such was the quality and calibre of their side.

It was Leigh that put an end to York’s hopes of promotion, which had been boosted massively after their 26-24 win over Halifax Panthers in the play-off quarter-finals.

The Knights advanced to the semis, for the first time in their history, where they were ultimately beaten 70-10 by the Centurions.

The Knights face another season in the Championship, but are coming into it fresh off a great season.

They will face fellow top-six finishers Featherstone Rovers, Halifax, Barrow Raiders and Batley next season, who were all unsuccessful in sealing promotion.

Elsewhere in the league, York will have two further Yorkshire derbies from last term against Bradford Bulls and Sheffield Eagles, who both finished in the top 10.

Widnes Vikings and Whitehaven will remain opponents for the Knights, as will London Broncos and Newcastle Thunder.

Next campaign, however, York will not be playing Dewsbury Rams or Workington Town, as the two sides were relegated to League One.

Workington won just once throughout the 2022 season, while Dewsbury won three matches and drew one. Newcastle, who finished in 12th place, did so with an eight-point gap on Dewsbury, who ranked second from bottom.

York will now have new opponents in the form of Keighley Cougars and Swinton Lions, who were both promoted to the Championship last season.

Coming down from the Super League are Toulouse Olympique, who had relegation confirmed in August after a loss to Catalans Dragons.