Championship round-up: Victory for Halifax & Bradford in shortened round of action

There were just two games this week in the Championship, but they were both highly entertaining affairs.

Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup semi-finals meant just four sides took to the field for ‘catch-up’ fixtures which were cancelled in earlier rounds of the season.

Bradford recorded their seventh successive win with a comprehensive 31-12 victory over Newcastle.

Leading 18-12 heading into the final quarter, Danny Brough stretched the Bulls’ lead with a drop goal before tries from Steve Crossley and Thomas Doyle edged them further clear in the closing stages.

Victory leaves John Kear’s men in hot pursuit of Featherstone and Bradford, the division’s only two unbeaten sides.

In Sunday’s other fixture, Halifax recorded their fourth win of the season with a dominant 46-12 victory at home to Sheffield.

Nick Rawsthorne, James Woodburn-Hall and Kevin Larroyer all crossed twice for the Panthers in a largely one-sided affair at The MBi Shay.

In response, the Eagles troubled the scoreboard once in either half through Blake Broadbent and Ryan Millar.

Championship round nine results:

Halifax Panthers 46-12 Sheffield Eagles

Bradford Bulls 31-12 Newcastle Thunder

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