Impressive Championship attendances but one game unable to reach 1000

Most of this week’s Championship action has been and gone.#

On Saturday Round Two of the Championship kicked off as Toulouse Olympique scored 11 tries in a a 58-0 win over Newcastle Thunder.

Guy Armitage scored a brace as nine others crossed for tries. It was a good day for former Wigan Warriors man Jake Shorrocks against his former club as he scored a try and kicked three goals for a points haul of 10.

Two wins from two for the French side following their Super League relegation.

Yesterday, the side they beat in Round One who were outstanding in 2022 and finished fourth were defeated for the second time at home to start the season.

Despite a try from former Super League man Jarrod Sammutt the Raiders trailed 22-12 at the break against Sheffield.

It was an impressive display from the Eagles who scored seven tries including a brace for former Hull KR man Kris Welham in a 36-16 win.

16 was the unlucky number of the afternoon as two other sides scored 16 points but lost. Last year’s Grand Finalists were stunned at home against the newly promoted Swinton Lions.

The Bulldogs led 16-6 until former Wakefield Trinity and St Helens hooker Josh Eaves sparked a comeback and after that the Lions scored tries for fun to conclude a 30-16 win.

Whitehaven were the other side to score 16 points but lose. The game was tied at 16-all late on but a Jarred Bassett try saw the Broncos win away.

It was an improved display from Keighley after they lost 50-0 last week and a better showing from former Man of Steel Luke Gale who crossed for a brace but a Millar hat-trick for the Widnes Vikings saw them come away with the win.

Meanwhile at Post Office Road, Featherstone laid down a marker with a massive win over promotion rivals Halifax Panthers.

Tonight, York take on Bradford Bulls on Viaplay Sports.

But how well attended were the games?

Two games impressively surpassed 3,000.

Toulouse had over 3000 fans in attendance for their first home game of the season whilst Featherstone were just 200 fans shy of 4000 against Halifax Panthers.

Meanwhile, Barrow Raiders notched an impressive attendance of 2,094.

Sadly, only 750 fans were in attendance at Whitehaven as they lost to London Broncos.

Barrow Raiders vs Sheffield Eagles – 2,094

Toulouse Olympique vs Newcastle Thunders – 3,047