Championship round-up: Bradford win on Odsal return, Featherstone extend unbeaten start & Sheffield draw for the second time this year
Round eight of the Championship season had plenty of late twists and turns…
Featherstone were made to work hard before eventually sneaking past Halifax to record their seventh win of the season.
Fa’amanu Brown, Craig Hall and Gareth Gale all crossed in a 17-minute spell either side of half time as Rovers showed their promotion credentials with a gritty 16-8 victory at the MBi Shay.
Bradford marked their return to Odsal with an impressive 37-18 triumph over York.
Joe Brown (2), Jordan Lilley, Ashton Golding and Ross Oakes got on the scoresheet for the Bulls, with half-back Danny Brough adding five conversions and a further three first half penalties.
Batley left it late to power past winless Swinton and record a 26-12 victory on home soil.
The Lions led 10-0 but wilted in the second half, with late Jodie Broughton and Alistair Leak tries enough for the Bulldogs to claim both competition points.
Second-rower Josh Walters scored twice as London recorded a 30-10 victory at home to Dewsbury.
Matty Fozard, Cory Aston and James Meadows also got in on the act for the Broncos at Trailfinders Sports Ground.
A last-gasp Anthony Thackeray drop goal was enough to earn Sheffield a second draw of the year at home to Whitehaven.
Trailing 25-12 heading into the final 10 minutes, Mark Aston’s Eagles miraculously rescued something from the game after a try and two conversions from Izaac Farrell, and a Thackeray four pointer with four minutes remaining.
And finally, Widnes recorded back-to-back wins with a commanding performance away at Oldham.
Jake Spedding and Vikings captain Jack Owens both scored twice at Bower Fold as Simon Finnigan’s side moved further clear of the bottom two with a 40-18 triumph.
Championship round eight results:
Toulouse Olympique P-P Newcastle Thunder
Batley Bulldogs 26-12 Swinton Lions
Bradford Bulls 37-18 York City Knights
Halifax Panthers 8-16 Featherstone Rovers
London Broncos 30-10 Dewsbury Rams
Sheffield Eagles 25-25 Whitehaven
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