The Championship Chat: Round 21

Featherstone and Bradford keep top four dream alive
Featherstone and Bradford made the race for the top four a lot more interesting as they both picked up wins to move within a point of third and fourth place. The Rovers beat Batley Bulldogs 34-6, with Kyle Briggs starring with the boot and he also went over the whitewash too. Andy Bostock, Briggs, Ian Hardman, Ashton Golding and Michael Channing were the try-scorers for Featherstone while Chris Ulugia scored Batley’s only try of the afternoon. Pressure will start to mount on the Bulldogs. Bradford won even more convincingly against Whitehaven. The Bulls defeated the Cumbrian side 64-18 after being 52-0 up at the break. Ethan Ryan, Dane Chisholm and Kieren Moss all notched braces in the first half for the hosts, while Adam Sidlow, Joe Philbin and Steve Crossley added tries of their own. Rohan Smith’s men were outscored in the second half by Haven, who went over the try line three times courtesy of James Chapelhow, James Newton and John-Paul Brocklebank. Ryan and James Clare crossed for the Bulls during the second period.

Leigh seal Shield
Sunday was a great day for the Centurions, who won their third consecutive Championship League Leaders Shield. They did it in some style too, beating Halifax 58-18 at the Leigh Sports Village. Neil Jukes’ side were 34-6 ahead at the break following scores from Cory Paterson, Lee Smith, Adam Higson, Greg Worthington, Josh Drinkwater and Andrew Dixon. Ben Johnston notched Fax’s only try of the half and he doubled his tally in the second. Will Sharp also got on the scoresheet for the visitors in the final 40 minutes but it was Leigh’s afternoon in the sunshine once again and they finished the match by scoring three tries without reply. Dixon, Fuifui Moimoi and Liam Kay all scored four-pointers in the final quarter.

Sheffield stun London at Trailfinders
A great win for the Eagles in the capital. Sheffield got the better of London 32-14 at Trailfinders Sports Ground and the visitors were 18-4 up at the break courtesy of tries from Matt James, Matty Fozard and Stan Robin. Rhys Williams registered London’s only try of the first half. In the final 40 minutes, Quentin Laulu-Togagae and Menzie Yere crossed the whitewash either side of the hour mark before Israel Eliab clawed a try back for the Broncos. However, Duane Straugheir scored Sheffield’s final try of the match to seal the win beyond doubt. A consolation effort from Andy Ackers got his side into double figures for the match but they were second best for the most part.

Oldham hold on to beat Swinton
Oldham recorded their third straight victory in the Kingstone Press Championship with a 26-24 triumph over Swinton Lions at Bower Fold. The visitors were in the lead at half-time by eight points after a Ben White brace was added to by Chris Atkin who kicked a penalty goal. Kieran Gill scored Oldham’s only try of the first half. The game was turned on its head in the space of five minutes as Roughyeds forward Michael Ward scored two tries in quick succession to put the hosts ahead. Macauley Hallett’’s try on the hour mark levelled the game and the Lions had a man advantage following the score as Oldham fullback Richard Lepori was sin-binned for throwing the ball away. Lewis Palfrey edged Scott Naylor’s side in front with a penalty goal before winger Adam Clay scored a converted try to make it a two score game. Josh Barlow cut the deficit to four points with a try of his own before Atkin converted to set up a tense finish. Oldham held on for dear life and their resolute defending was enough to see them through.

Workington beat Rams on home turf
Could this be the start of the Great Escape for Workington? A 22-20 victory over Dewsbury will do them a lot of good and now their confidence will be at its highest going into this weekend’s match with neighbours Whitehaven. It was the Rams who were in the lead at half-time, 14-6. Dale Morton, Tony Tonks and Lucas Walshaw were the try-scorers for the West Yorkshire club while Declan Hulme notched Workington’s lone score. In the second half, Karl Olstrum and Tee Ritson both crossed the whitewash for Town, who went into the lead for the second time in the contest. Andy Kain replied with 15 minutes remaining to put Dewsbury back in front but the hosts weren’t going to be denied. Matthew Gee scored the leveller in the dying embers of the tie and Jarrod Sammut added the two points that proved to be the difference come the end.