Championship / C1 play-offs summary

The 2009 play-off series kicked off at Widnes on Thursday and it was the home side who advanced to the next round during a scrappy game with Whitehaven.

After a 71st minute drop goal from Carl Rudd put the visitors ahead, a try virtually from the restart by James Webster sealed a come-from-behind win for the Vikings, who triumphed 26-21.

Grady, Hartley (2) and Thackeray scored the others for Paul Cullen’s side, who were visibly rusty.

Featherstone shocked favourites Sheffield to set up a second round tie with the Vikings, winning 32-8 at the Don Valley Stadium.

Tommy Haughey (pictured) crossed twice for Rovers, with Briggs, Spears, Saxton and Lee also touching down to wrap up a comfortable win.

Blackpool bowed out of the Championship One play-offs in their end-of-season debut, as Hunslet snatched a late 21-18 win by the seaside.

Brown, Young and McHugh scored four-pointers for the Hawks, though penalties from Robinson proved decisive.

Oldham defeated Swinton 31-26 in the day’s other eliminator. Onyango, St Hilaire, Coyle and O’Connor scored tries for the Roughyeds, before a late touchdown from Joseph thwarted a Lions onslaught.