Sunday Social: Halifax make history, Croft’s impressive debut & Barba clashes with police

James Messenger

It is time for Love Rugby League’s Sunday Social, your alternative recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past seven days. 

After a titanic battle between two of the most physical outfits in the Betfred Championship, Halifax picked up a hard-fought victory over Bradford to reach the Challenge Cup last four for the first time in 31 years.

St Helens turned on the style yesterday to also book their place in the semi-finals. Will this be the year they end their 10-year wait for a trip to Wembley’s showpiece event?

They may have fallen at the quarter-final stage of this year’s competition, but there were certainly plenty of plaudits for Wakefield debutant Jack Croft, who scored with his first touch of the game. One to keep an eye on in the future.

Warrington were made to work hard before securing a tense 28-22 victory over Hull KR at KCOM Craven Park. Tom Lineham picked up a yellow card in the first half for a late shot on Jimmy Keinhorst, but was he lucky to avoid red?

After their victory, Warrington showed a touch of class off the pitch by inviting Robins guest of honour Archie into the away team dressing room. Archie is a lifelong Rovers fan and has recently battled through Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

There were some worrying scenes during last week’s Championship clash between Swinton and Dewsbury, as Rams forward Samy Kibula appeared to have an altercation with a ballboy following the Lions match-winning try. However, the Wigan loanee took to Twitter to clear things up.

Finally, earlier this week, former St Helens star Ben Barba was sentenced to community service after an altercation with his partner in a casino nightclub. Shortly after, Nine News Australia released footage of a fiery exchange between the 29-year-old and police outside his parents home earlier this month.

Challenge Cup Ben Barba