League 1 round-up: Whitehaven edge Workington, Bradford go top, Ritson stars for Newcastle
There were several entertaining clashes in League 1 on Good Friday.
Whitehaven won 14-12 in the old Cumbrian derby against Workington Town. All three tries of the game were scored in the final 10 minutes. Town were winning 12-8 until Chris Taylor went over for Haven in the 79th minute, making the score level. Dan Abram held his nerve to seal a win for Whitehaven with the last kick of the game.
A hat-trick from Theerapol Ritson helped Newcastle Thunder ease past Coventry Bears 32-18 at the Butts Park Arena. Newcastle now sit in fifth position.
York City Knights came out on top in a nail-biter against Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium. The Knights ended the Dons’ 100% start to the year, while going third in the process.
Keighley Cougars ran in six tries to beat Hunslet 38-22 at the South Leeds Stadium. It was Keighley’s first win in four games and Benn Hardcastle kicked seven goals from seven attempts.
Three penalties from Neil Thorman proved to be the difference as London Skolars edged past Hemel Stags 18-12 at Pennine Way. Canadian Quinn Ngawati, who is on loan at the Skolars from Toronto Wolfpack, played well in the back-row.
Bradford Bulls maintained their unbeaten start to the season and went top of the Betfred League 1 table with a 30-12 victory over Oldham at the Provident Stadium. Dane Chisholm was a standout for the Bulls, while Wales international Dalton Grant crossed for two tries.
In the Welsh derby, West Wales Raiders suffered a heavy 54-6 thrashing by rivals North Wales Crusaders. It was a good start for Anthony Murray, though, who took charge of his first game as coach of the Crusaders following the departure of Mike Grady.
Bradford are the only team to have won all of their games so far and sit at the top of the ladder, while Hemel and West Wales sit rock bottom with zero points.