Championship RL results: Former Super League star stretchered off and basement battle decided by drop goal

Another outstanding weekend of Betfred Championship rugby has been and gone with seven great fixtures taking centre stage ahead of tomorrow’s televised Monday night clash between Bradford and Featherstone.

However, the action started on Friday as Sheffield Eagles defeated Newcastle Thunder to heap pain on the side who are struggling to adapt to being fulltime.

The star man for Sheffield was former Super League Champion Ben Jones-Bishop who scored a hat-trick whilst both halfbacks crossed for tries with Izaac Farrell racking up a total of 14 points in the win.

The last side to defeat Newcastle were the in form York City Knights who today beat Whitehaven 30-12. Like in the Sheffield game, it was the goal kicker who was the star man with Liam Harris crossing for a try and kicking five goals for the Knights as they finished strongly to claim the win after going into the break at 18-12. There was a try for the on loan Davy Litten for Whitehaven who is one for the future for Hull FC. The win leaves them third in the table.

Speaking of the upper echelons of the table, Leigh ran riot against London Broncos to move top of the league at least until Featherstone play. The Centurions scored 11 tries with Krisnan Inu scoring a hat-trick whilst kicking nine goals taking his tally to 30 points for the afternoon as the Centurions won 64-0 with Caleb Aekins scoring again.

There was a surprisingly comprehensive win for Batley at Widnes today as the Bulldogs defeated the Vikings 38-10 with Johnny Campbell scoring twice.

In the battle of the basement, Dewsbury edged Workington thanks to a last minute Michael Knowles drop goal. The responsibility fell to him when Paul Sykes was pressed with the veteran having skill to give the Rams a much needed win which now leaves them four points clear of Workington at the bottom and three clear of London in 13th.

In the other game today, there was a comprehensive win for Halifax over Barrow as the Panthers maintain their strong form. They defeated the Raiders 40-18 who went into the game above them in the league. However, their recent slump saw them lose considerably to the Panthers with Lachlan Walmsley scoring twice.

The Raiders’ cause wasn’t helped by the fact star halfback Jarrod Sammutt was stretchered off in the first half when they trailed 16-8.

Results in full:
Sheffield Eagles 34-20 Newcastle Thunder
Dewsbury Rams 19-18 Workington Town
Halifax Panthers 40-18 Barrow Raiders
Leigh Centurions 64-0 London Broncos
Widnes Vikings 10-38 Batley Bulldogs
York City Knights 30-12 Whitehaven
Bradford Bulls vs Featherstone Rovers