The fight is on for Championship title

Sheffield coach Mark Aston believes his side could cause an upset and claim the Championship title.

The top six sides are separated by just six points, and Aston’s men face Featherstone this Thursday as they look to close the gap on league leaders and favourites Barrow.

He said: “There may only be two games to go but this competition is still wide open. We’ve got Featherstone Rovers and then Barrow Raiders and what team is going to look forward to coming here?

“The Halifax game was possibly our strongest performance of the season so far. We asked the lads to drain the tank and they certainly did that.”

Both sides will be looking to pick up the three points to give them the best possible chance of a home draw in the play-offs, which begin on September 11.

Featherstone’s title hopes took a blow with a defeat against Barrow last weekend.

Coach Daryl Powell said: “I thought as an overall performance it was really poor. We conceded soft tries and the mentality of the group has been questioned again and found to be wanting. That’s the challenge I put to the players at half-time, and after the game, that we have got to be stronger.

“We just can’t allow ourselves to be rolled over so easily due to lack of toughness. That’s the only word I can find – some of it mental, some of it physical.

“We’ve now got two games left to find ourselves the best possible position in the top six.”