Championship: Blake Ferguson wins it for Leigh & Featherstone bounce back

Josh McAllister
Blake Ferguson

A 73rd minute try from Blake Ferguson saw Leigh Centurions claim a hard-fought 30-28 win over Barrow Raiders. 

Paul Crarey’s Barrow had led 28-24 leading up to the final 10 minutes of the game before late heartbreak for the Cumbrian side.

Ray French winner Edwin Ipape crossed for two tries less than a week after his man of the match performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Former NRL winger Blake Ferguson also crossed for a brace, while James McDonnell also scored. Ben Reynolds converting all five tries on his 150th career appearance.

Featherstone Rovers bounced back from their 1895 Cup final defeat with a 46-10 victory away at Newcastle Thunder.

The hosts were just two points behind at the break with a 12-10 scoreline. However, Brian McDermott’s side ran in 34-unanswered points in the second half to claim the two league points on offer. Celebrating his 30th birthday, Ryley Jacks crossed for a brace, while team-mate Morgan Smith scored a hat-trick. Joey Leilua, Matty Wildie, Jack Bussey and Gareth Gale also scoring. 

Bradford Bulls secured a 31-6 victory over Widnes Vikings at the DCBL Stadium.

With both teams still searching for their permanent head coach, Bradford ran in five tries, with George Flanagan kicking a late drop-goal. Jordan Baldwinson, Kieran Gill and Joe Burton all crossing for four-pointers, while Ryan Millar grabbed a brace.

Workington claim first win of Championship season

Workington Town claimed their first win of the season live on Premier Sports, with a 32-18 score over London Broncos. Tries from Tom Wilkinson, Caine Barnes and Marcus O’Brien and a brace from Evan Simons saw them claim their first two league points of the Championship campaign.

London remain above their opponents in the table by one point.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Eagles fell to their first defeat at their new home, losing 34-14 to York City Knights. The visitors scoring through James Glover, Bailey Antrobus, Ronan Dixon, Pauli Pauli and Marcus Stock (2).

A 15 minute delay to their kick off didn’t distract Batley Bulldogs from claiming the win at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium. They claimed a 46-6 victory over Whitehaven.

On Tuesday, Halifax Panthers claimed a dominant 66-0 win over Dewsbury Rams at The Shay. Since then, the Rams have parted ways with head coach Lee Greenwood. Paul Sykes taking over on an interim basis.

Championship results:

  • Workington 32-18 London Broncos
  • Barrow Raiders 28-30 Leigh Centurions
  • Newcastle Thunder 10-46 Featherstone Rovers
  • Widnes Vikings 6-31 Bradford Bulls
  • Sheffield Eagles 14-34 York City Knights
  • Halifax Panthers 66-0 Dewsbury Rams

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