Bradford Bulls stunned by Championship’s bottom side in shock defeat

Bradford Bulls, who had started the Championship season with three wins from four, have fallen to a shock defeat at the hands of bottom-of-the-table York Knights.

The Bulls, who were expected to beat the Knights, lost 25-14 at the LNER Community Stadium with half-back Liam Harris stealing the show on a day to remember for the North Yorkshire outfit.

Harris scored two tries and a crucial field goal for the Knights, with the hosts other two tries coming through former Super League players Jimmy Keinhorst and Jordan Thompson.

Kieran Gill had got Bradford off to the perfect start, but it was a poor display from Eamon O’Carroll’s side who managed to score two late tries, one from debutant Eliot Peposhi and the other through Aidan McGowan, to bring the scoreline closer than perhaps the game reflected.

For York and Andrew Henderson, it was a crucial first win after a worrying start to the campaign and the Knights will now look to put a winning run together and shoot up into playoff contention.

Bradford Bulls lose, Wakefield and Sheffield win

Elsewhere on a busy day in the Championship, Wakefield picked up a tough win against Batley, prevailing 34-14 at Mount Pleasant, meanwhile, Featherstone were made to work for their 32-24 success at home to previously unbeaten Widnes Vikings.

High-flying early-season surprise package Sheffield Eagles, Swinton Lions and Doncaster were the day’s other winners, all three picking up emphatic victories to boost their league campaigns.

Doncaster picked up a superb 38-6 victory in Cumbria against Barrow, with Sheffield putting the cleaners past Halifax as they recorded a resounding 46-0 win at The Shay. Finally, Swinton made light work of Dewsbury, smashing the Rams 50-22.

After five games, Wakefield and Sheffield are the only two teams with a 100 per cent record. The Eagles, however, have boosted their points difference considerably after their 46-0 triumph, but still sit in second.

Widnes are third after their first defeat of the season, with Featherstone and Bradford in fourth and fifth respectively both on six points. Six teams are then on four points with Batley, Dewsbury and York all propping up the table on two points.