Championship RL Results: Featherstone Rovers and Sheffield Eagles win as Bradford Bulls stunned

The Championship never ceases to amaze, and this week was no exception. Let’s take a look back at all of the action. 

The weekend started with a thriller in Sheffield on Friday, as the Eagles edged past Halifax Panthers 32-30. Both teams were on all out attack mode as they scored a collective 11 tries in a belter of a game. The Eagles win cements them firmly in the playoff spots, and they are now only two points behind Toulouse. Are they a dark horse for promotion?

Saturday saw the big boys come to play, as the top two sides Toulouse and Featherstone were in action.

Promotion favourites Featherstone Rovers faced 1895 Cup finalists Batley Bulldogs, and they put on a show as they romped to a 28-8 victory. They have been in imperious form this season, only losing once all year. They also boast the league’s best points difference at a whopping 622.

Could Toulouse reply to the Rovers emphatic result?

They certainly could, as Toulouse put Keighley to the sword, winning 64-0. This was the French sides fourth win in five games, and has helped them keep the pressure on Featherstone. For the newly promoted Cougars, this is yet another poor defeat, and they are now firmly in the dog fight at the bottom of the table.

Sunday saw three games with massive implications at both ends of the table.

First up were the Broncos, as they faced York. Both had lost their respective semi-finals the previous week, but it would be York who responded to that disappointment as they beat the Broncos 24-10. York are now only three points behind Halifax in sixth and have every chance of making up the ground.

Turning our attention back to the bottom of the table, Newcastle faced Swinton in a huge game in the relegation scrap. Both teams had struggled this season, however it would be the Thunder who would march onto victory as they downed the Lions 25-19.

Elsewhere, Widnes beat Whitehaven 36-28 to close in on the playoffs. Another game which saw a collective 11 tries scored by both sides, this game was a show of attacking Rugby League.

To close the week of Championship action, strugglers Barrow visited the Odsal last night to take on the Bradford Bulls. Barrow have been struggling this season, however they would record a famous victory over the Bulls thanks to Ryan Shaw’s 14 point haul.

Results:

Sheffield Eagles 32-20 Halifax Panthers

Toulouse Olympique 64-0 Keighley Cougars

Featherstone Rovers 28-8 Batley Bulldogs

Widnes Vikings 36-28 Whitehaven

Newcastle Thunder 25-19 Swinton Lions

London Broncos 10-24 York Knights

Bradford Bulls 10-14 Barrow Raiders