Final weekend Championship Review

Leigh Centurions were summoned to the Championship One on Sunday, despite a 47-14 defeat of Whitehaven lifting them out of the relegation zone.

Mick Nanyn, Dave McConnell and Dave Alstead all grabbed two tries apiece for the Centurions, but it was not enough to seal a last day escape from the drop.

Despite the three points lifting Leigh to third from bottom, below them were Toulouse, the franchise side who were exempt from relegation.

The French outfit lost 34-18 at title-chasing Halifax on Saturday, with Shad Royston keeping up his impressive run of form with two touchdowns.

Gateshead’s revival under Steve McCormack was completed on Sunday, as a 56-0 win at rock bottom Doncaster ensured safety. Paul Franze grabbed a hat-trick for the Thunder, who had a remarkable second half of the season to climb up the league ladder.

Other relegation-threatened side Batley won 30-26 at Featherstone. Paul Mennell scored twice for the Bulldogs, who saw off a late comeback from the home side to take the spoils and secure another season in the Championship.

On Thursday, Sheffield sealed a third place finish with a 29-22 defeat of Barrow, who played for a bonus point to finish the season on top of the pile.

In a surreal second half, the trailing Raiders persisted with kicking penalties and drop goals to draw close to the Eagles, before a late try and field goal from Craig Cook snatched the points for the home side.

In the Championship One, Rochdale defeated Workington 42-20, with Miller and Fogerty each crossing twice.

Hunslet saw off Oldham 36-18, as Wayne McHugh notched three scores. Dewsbury ended the season undefeated, seeing off plucky Blackpool away from home.

York will have high hopes of promotion after a final day 46-28 defeat of Swinton, a result which confirms the Knights in third place.