DAVE WOODS admits York City Knights do not have the easiest of run-ins in the race for third place in Championship One – but believes their destiny is all in their own hands.

Blackpool’s ten-point deduction for breaches of registration and salary cap rules saw the Panthers drop from third to fifth in the table, with the Knights moving up one place from fourth.

However, Rochdale remain in the box seat in the battle for third, being only one point behind York with a game in hand. Blackpool remain firmly in the hunt, four points further back but with upcoming matches against strugglers London Skolars and Gateshead, while Workington, South Wales Scorpions and Swinton also have mathematical chances of taking third place.

The Knights follow tomorrow’s tricky trip to Swinton with a home game against title-chasing Oldham and finish their regular campaign with the long journey to South Wales. This last match, on Sunday, August 15, has been brought forward from 2pm to a 1pm kick-off.

Woods said: “I think we’ve got a tough run-in compared to some of them. But it’s one of those things – anyone can beat anyone else in this league.

“Workington are a good side and they could turn over Rochdale this weekend. Rochdale also have Oldham and Blackpool to play. It will be tough for them.

“I’ve said to the players we’re in third place now and it’s in our hands. If we do things right we can stay there. It’s only going to be our slip-ups that let someone else in.”

The battle for third place is crucial as whoever finishes second and third in the table have a big advantage in the play-offs, with two bites of the cherry to reach the grand final. Hunslet and Oldham are virtually guaranteed the top two places, the winners gaining automatic promotion.


THE SEASON’S RUN-IN

Knights: Swinton (A), Oldham (H), South Wales (A).

Rochdale: Workington (A), Swinton (H), Oldham (A), Blackpool (H).

Blackpool: London (H), Gateshead (A), Hunslet (H), Rochdale (A).

Workington: Rochdale (H), Hunslet (A), Swinton (H), Doncaster (A).

South Wales: Oldham (A), Doncaster (H), Knights (H), Hunslet (A).

Swinton: Knights (H), Rochdale (A), Workington (A), Gateshead (H).