Championship RL results and round-up: Leigh Centurions take huge step towards Super League as Halifax Panthers batter Bradford Bulls

Ahead of a huge Monday night derby live on Premier Sports which could Batley relegate rivals Dewsbury, the rest of the Championship have again served up another cracking weekend of action.

Things started at York where they may have been grateful for the shortest turnaround of the weekend playing just five days after conceding 100 points against Leigh last week – a day when their play-off status was ironically also confirmed.

Clearly in need of blowing the cobwebs away after that, the City Knights enjoyed a strong first half against Sheffield to take a 16-4 halftime lead. James Glover was the man of the hour with a try and two goals as York won 20-12. Oddly it was only four tries to three with Sheffield ruing missed goal kicks.

Then on Saturday Barrow put their play-off rivals on notice with a huge 62-10 win over Newcastle who have only recently confirmed that they’re set to return to part-time status.

The Raiders ran in 11 tries six of which came in the second half as they won the second period 34-0. Tee Ritson scored another brace as Ryan Shaw scored 22 points.

In the other Saturday game, Featherstone typically did all the damage they needed against already relegated Workington Town. The first half say Connor Jones remarkably cross for a first half hat-trick as Morgan Smith ran in a brace. Craig Hall scored the other try as well as kicking six from six.

In the second half, Fev closed out a 64-18 win as Jones made it five on the night and Tom Lineham, Gadwin Springer and Ryley Jacks all crossed for tries.

The win wasn’t enough however to stop Leigh from claiming the League Leaders’ Shield who wrapped up top spot with a 42-4 win over Widnes on Sunday. It was a day of doubles for the Centurions with eight tries shared equally between four players with Josh Charnley and Blake Ferguson amongst those who claimed a brace.

Ed Chamberlain kicked five goals as he helped himself to 18 points.

It’s a huge step towards Super League for the Centurions as it ensures that should they make it to the Million Pound Game they’ll receive home advantage.

It was a day of 40s as Halifax beat Bradford in a local derby 40-18. The Panthers started fast taking a 16-0 lead inside 17 minutes but Bradford battled back to be 22-12 behind at the break.

However, a strong second half from Halifax helped along by a Lachlan Walmsley double set them on their way to a 40-18 win.

Lastly, Whitehaven were the last club to join the 40 club defeating London 40-20 thanks to a strong first half which gave them an 18-4 lead.

Results

York City Knights 20-12 Sheffield Eagles
Newcastle Thunder 10-62 Barrow Raiders
Featherstone 64-18 Workington Town
Leigh Centurions 42-4 Widnes Vikings
Halifax Panthers 40-18 Bradford Bulls
Whitehaven 40-20 London Broncos
Dewsbury Rams vs Batley Bulldogs