Championship round-up: Hat-trick hero Hutchison, Sammut inspires London, big Swinton crowd

Drew Darbyshire

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

There were several high-scoring matches in round 12 of the Championship.

Ryan Brierley scored a try and kicked seven goals from seven attempts to help Toronto Wolfpack comfortably beat Halifax 42-10. They remain at the top of the Championship table following their big win at New River Stadium.

Former St George Illawarra Dragons half-back Drew Hutchison certainly looks to be settling in well at Leigh Centurions after a slow start to the season. He bagged a hat-trick to help the Centurions beat Barrow Raiders 46-18 at the Leigh Sports Village on Sunday. Ryan Bailey also got his first try for the Leigh club.

Sheffield Eagles completed a season double over Rochdale Hornets following a 38-16 scoreline at the Crown Oil Arena. USA international Corey Makelim and St Helens youngster Jack Ashworth got on the scoresheet for Sheffield.

A hat-trick from Shaun Robinson, two tries from Tom Holmes and two from Josh Hardcastle guided Featherstone Rovers to a resounding 50-12 victory over Batley Bulldogs at the LD Nutrition Stadium on Sunday. Holmes was outstanding at full-back. Leeds Rhinos players Jordan Lilley, Josh Walters and Nathaniel Peteru featured for Rovers through the dual-registration agreement.

Dewsbury Rams suffered their heaviest league defeat since 2005 as London Broncos charged to a thrilling 64-6 win in the capital. Jarrod Sammut scored a hat-trick for the Broncos as well as kicking 10 goals from 11 attempts.

There was a crowd of 2,155 at Heywood Road to watch Sunday’s clash between Swinton Lions and Toulouse Olympique. Swinton had offered people the chance to watch the game for free, but it wasn’t enough to cheer them to victory, with Toulouse running out 62-8 winners. Stan Robin, Mark Kheirallah, Johnathon Ford and Anthony Marion all scored two tries each for Olympique.

Toronto, Featherstone, Toulouse and London are currently in the top four, with Leigh and Halifax being just two points away. Swinton are rock bottom, having yet to win a game.

Championship round 12 results:

Toronto Wolfpack 42-10 Halifax

Leigh Centurions 46-18 Barrow Raiders

Rochdale Hornets 16-38 Sheffield Eagles

Featherstone Rovers 50-12 Batley Bulldogs

London Broncos 64-6 Dewsbury Rams

Swinton Lions 8-62 Toulouse Olympique