It was an incredible week in the Championship this week, with shock results, huge scorelines and one-point thrillers making for a vastly entertaining weekend of rugby league.
The headline result of the week was undoubtedly London Broncos’ defeat to Oldham RLFC, with the Roughyeds taking a 34-24 victory to end the Broncos’ unbeaten run that has run through the full season.
A Luke Forber double helped them to victory, whilst former Super League men Jake Bibby and Josh Drinkwater also got in on the try-scoring action.
This week’s fixtures actually got underway on Wednesday, with Doncaster travelling to Barrow Raiders in a supplementary round game. The Dons came away with a thrilling one-point victory, with a late Connor Robinson penalty goal proving to be the difference between the two sides.
Swinton Lions put 60 points on North Wales Crusaders, with Reece Briers and Harry Higham, sons of former Super League greats Lee Briers and Micky Higham, crossing for tries in the win.
Batley Bulldogs saw out a tense game against local rivals Keighley, winning 22-18 in a game that was their ‘pink weekend’ as they raised money for breast cancer awareness.
Doncaster, fresh off their Wednesday win, then had to play on Saturday against Midlands, but the fatigue wouldn’t be a bother as they emerged as 44-16 victors.
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A Tom Gilmore drop goal was all that came between Widnes Vikings and Halifax Panthers, with the 1895 Cup Finalists clinching a nervy win over a spirited Panthers side. Widnes are down to the bare bones of the squad, and have implored any clubs to reach out if they have any players available before Friday’s transfer deadline.
Sheffield Eagles were another side to come through narrowly, beating Hunslet RLFC 28-26. Castleford loanee Aiden Doolan had a last-minute conversion to level the game, but missed from the touchline, handing the Eagles the two points.
Another two-point win came for Rochdale Hornets, who edged out Workington Town, making their trip to Cumbria a special one. A Jamie Dallimore double helped them to the win, with Dallimore also kicking two conversions.
Lastly, Whitehaven were comfortable winners over Dewsbury Rams, winning 34-12 to claim their 10th victory of the campaign.
Championship Round 24 results in full
Barrow Raiders 25-26 Doncaster RLFC – game played midweek
Swinton Lions 60-10 Wales Crusaders
Batley Bulldogs 22-18 Keighley Cougars
Doncaster RLFC 44-16 Midlands Hurricanes
Halifax Panthers 10-11 Widnes Vikings
Oldham RLFC 34-24 London Broncos
Sheffield Eagles 28-26 Hunslet RLFC
Whitehaven 34-12 Dewsbury Rams
Workington Town 20-22 Rochdale Hornets
