It was the second round of fixtures in this year’s newly revamped 1895 Cup and one of the favourites Featherstone Rovers have been beaten in a thriller by last year’s finalists Batley Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have beaten James Ford’s side 15-14 with the winning drop goal coming in the 75th minute courtesy of Josh Woods.
Featherstone Rovers took the lead early on through new signing Greg Minikin but the home side levelled it up almost immediately as prop Luke Cooper crashed over on debut against his former club.
Batley crept away via the boot of Woods with the club taking points on offer via a penalty before extending the lead through Elliot Kear.
Leading 12-6 at the half the Bulldogs were pegged back as Gareth Gale scored in the corner before a first try for Featherstone from former Hull FC triallist Mane Wacokecoke put them ahead 14-12.
Woods then converted yet another penalty before slotting the drop goal to secure their first win in the competition, putting them in prime position to top the group that also includes Hunslet.
It now puts Featherstone Rovers in the tricky position of having to potentially hope to qualify as the best-placed second-place finishers, however with York Knights having put up 114 points last week against Newcastle then it could well be out of their hands.
Round-up of all the other games following Featherstone Rovers’ surprise loss
Whilst Featherstone Rovers failed to beat Championship rivals, Bradford Bulls managed it with a convincing win over newly-promoted Dewsbury Rams.
The Bulls ran out as 40-4 winners on their travels with former Wakefield Trinity man Jorge Taufua scoring a brace. Huddersfield Giants’ loanee Aidan McGowan also scored with Eamon O’Carroll’s side impressing once again.
Reigning 1895 Cup champions Halifax Panthers bounced back from their shock defeat to League One Oldham with the Panthers putting up 52 points in their win over Rochdale Hornets.
Fax won 52-12 with tries as they ran in nine tries including two from Ben Crooks and one from new signing Greg Eden, with Frenchman Louis Jouffret putting up 20 points of his own.
There wasn’t to be another huge win for York Knights as Wakefield Trinity rolled into town and rolled them over 40-4, the Trin having led 24-0 at half-time.
Luke Gale opened the scoring before tries from Jermaine McGillvary, Max Jowitt and Caleb Uele, with former Halifax star Lachlan Walmsley bagging himself a hattrick as well.
In the battle for Cumbria, it was Championship side Barrow Raiders who defeated League One Whitehaven, although only 18-12 with the Raiders relying on former Salford Red Devils duo Matt Costello and James Greenwood to score tries in the final 15 minutes to secure the win.
Swinton Lions continued their impressive run of performances with an 18-6 win over Widnes Vikings, Dec Patton once again being instrumental as he knocked over all three conversions.
Sheffield Eagles survived a late rally from newly-promoted Doncaster to win 22-18 with former Super League men Joe Lovodua and Alex Sutcliffe scoring for the Dons, albeit in defeat.
1895 Cup Results
Batley Bulldogs 15-14 Featherstone Rovers
Dewsbury Rams 4-40 Bradford Bulls
Doncaster RLFC 18-22 Sheffield Eagles
Rochdale Hornets 12-52 Halifax Panthers
Swinton Lions 18-6 Widnes Vikings
Whitehaven 12-18 Barrow Raiders
York Knights 4-40 Wakefield Trinity
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