League 1: Keighley win top-of-the-table clash & Skolars win at Cornwall

Steven Hughes
Cougar Park Keighley Cougars Toby Everett

Keighley Cougars went two points clear at the top of the League 1 table after a 56-12 win over the previously unbeaten North Wales Crusaders.

Aaron Levy went over for a hat-trick, while Jake Webster and Dane Chisholm scored two tries apiece. Charlie Graham, Alix Stephenson, Mo Agoro and Lewis Young also went over to complete the scoring.

North Wales responded with two tries from Rob Massam, and another from Matt Reid, but they fell to a first defeat of the season.

Before then, London Skolars made it back-to-back wins after a narrow 24-20 victory over the still winless Cornwall.

Cornwall had taken the lead in this one, after a try from debutant Aaron Jones-Bishop.  But tries from Lameck Juma and Mike Greenhalgh turned the game around before the break.

Joe Purcell then levelled the game for Cornwall, before on-loan Hull KR half-back Adam Rusling kicked the Choughs back in front.

However, Greenhalgh’s second try and another from Jarred Bassett put the Skolars back ahead before the end. Purcell scored again to make it a grandstand finish, but the Skolars would hold on the for the points.

Moving onto Sunday’s matches, and Swinton won their derby match against Oldham for their third straight win. Second half tries from Louis Brogan and Max Roberts won it for the Lions.Dane Windrow responded for Oldham, who lose more ground on the play-offs.

Doncaster moved to within two points of third and fourth, although they have played a game more. They beat Hunslet 36-6 at the Eco Power Stadium. Two tries from Tom Halliday, and others from Connor Robinson, Ben Howe, Travis Corion and Aaron York secured the victory for the Dons. Ethan O’Hanlon grabbed a consolation score for Hunslet.

Finally, Midlands Hurricanes moved closer to the play-off places after beating West Wales 56-12. Sean Croston, Kieron Lawton and James Phillips scored two tries each, with Hayden Freeman, Jack Dawson, Ben Stead and Phil Cowburn also getting on the scoresheet. Callum Mulkeen and Ewan Badham both scored for the Raiders.

League 1 results

Cornwall 20-24 London Skolars (Saturday)

North Wales 12-56 Keighley (Saturday)

Oldham 8-16 Swinton

Doncaster 36-6 Hunslet

Midlands 56-12 West Wales

READ MORECornwall RLFC sign Jamaica international Aaron Jones-Bishop