The curtain has fallen on what was an enthralling round of Championship action with the competition’s 10-team play-offs nearing ever closer, and London Broncos have made the headlines yet again.
For once, it’s not the Broncos who are hitting the 100-point barrier this week but they came close as London beat Goole Vikings 92-6. That win is significant, not least in the margin of victory, but because it moves Jason Demetriou’s team onto a perfect record of 21 wins from 21 games.
The Broncos are now confirmed as the team set to finish in first place, with second-place Newcastle unable to catch them on points, never mind the huge points differential that London boast.
For context, the Broncos’ points difference sits at plus 1,131, the like that’s never been seen before and it was one of the club’s long-serving players who picked up most tries this weekend as Alex Walker, playing his 200th game for London, scored four.
Whilst London’s win was huge, it wasn’t quite as big as what Doncaster put up as they won 120-0 against North Wales and what’s more incredible is how they did that, scoring 20 converted tries as kicker Connor Robinson racked up a personal points tally of 44 (20 goals and one try), breaking through the 2,000 points barrier for his career during the second half.
Outside of those blowout wins, the rest of the competition’s games were very competitive with five games won by six or less points, including Oldham’s win over Sheffield that came courtesy of a Josh Drinkwater drop goal.
The Roughyeds won 31-30 to solidify third place as the Eagles remain in seventh. Other close games included Swinton’s win over Salford, a game played at Wigan as part of a double-header with the Warriors, as the Lions won just their fifth game of the year to dent Salford’s play-off hopes.
Whitehaven also won by two points, edging out Rochdale 24-22 to move to ninth in the table, capitalising on Batley’s 28-24 defeat to Newcastle, who remain a comfortable second in the league.
Barrow Raiders also kept pace with a win over Halifax, whilst Midlands Hurricanes beat Workington by one converted try, and Hunslet comfortably beat Keighley Cougars.
Round 23 Championship results
Salford RLFC 18-20 Swinton Lions
Batley Bulldogs 24-28 Newcastle Thunder
Halifax Panthers 20-28 Barrow Raiders
Hunslet 32-18 Keighley Cougars
London Broncos 92-6 Goole Vikings
Midlands Hurricanes 30-24 Workington
North Wales Crusaders 0-120 Doncaster
Oldham 31-30 Sheffield Eagles
Rochdale Hornets 22-24 Whitehaven
