It was a bumper Easter weekend across the Championship and League One as the top sides failed to win, with some sides claiming their first victories of 2025.
Championship leaders Halifax Panthers’ unbeaten run came to an end after they lost 12-8 at home to Bradford Bulls. Tries from James Meadows and Luke Hooley gave the visitors a win, taking them up to fifth in the table.
Doncaster secured their first South Yorkshire derby victory in 11 years after they beat Sheffield Eagles 19-6. Two tries from Edene Gebbie and one from Reece Lyne gave the Dons an impressive win whilst the Eagles sit just one spot from the bottom in the Championship ladder.
2025’s surprise package Barrow Raiders continued their fine form with a 24-6 win against London Broncos. St Helens‘ Tee Ritson scored in the victory, evading two Broncos defenders as he made a break down the wing and ran in under the sticks to score.
Just @tee_ritson doing what he does best 🔥
🤝 @furnessbs
🎙️ @bbccumbriasport pic.twitter.com/Bvr5jSshwo— Barrow Raiders (@BarrowRaiders) April 19, 2025
Widnes Vikings and Oldham saw out only the second draw of the season. It was Oldham’s second draw of 2025 and they failed to take advantage of Halifax’s loss to close the gap to top spot.
Featherstone Rovers picked up only their second win of their Championship season with a 24-22 win over York Knights. Former Leeds Rhinos forward King Vuniyayawa was one of the four try scorers alongside former Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors man Ryan Hampshire.
Hunslet grabbed an away victory against Batley Bulldogs. Centre Billy Jowitt’s brace gave the visitors a 28-24 win, their first of the 2025 Championship campaign.
In League 1, the top two sides lost with Midland Hurricanes on the end of a 31-18 defeat against North Wales Crusaders and Whitehaven narrowly missing out on the two points in a 10-8 loss against Workington Town.
Goole Vikings grabbed their first win of the 2025 League 1 season with a 24-18 victory over fellow strugglers Keighley Cougars. Former Hull FC junior Manoa Wacokecoke and on-loan Neil Tchamambe from Wakefield Trinity both scored in the win.
There were also victories for Dewsbury Rams and Rochdale Hornets as the Rams thumped bottom side Newcastle Thunder 56-6 whilst the Hornets beat Swinton Lions 8-7.
Championship results
Batley Bulldogs 24-28 Hunslet
Barrow Raiders 24-6 London Broncos
Doncaster 19-6 Sheffield Eagles
Halifax Panthers 8-12 Bradford Bulls
Widnes Vikings 10-10 Oldham
Featherstone Rovers 24-22 York Knights
League 1 results
Dewsbury Rams 56-6 Newcastle Thunder
Rochdale Hornets 8-7 Swinton Lions
Workington Town 10-8 Whitehaven
Keighley Cougars 18-24 Goole Vikings
Midlands Hurricanes 18-31 North Wales Crusaders
International Rugby League
NRL star granted permission to switch allegiance to England ahead of Ashes
