London Broncos just about kept their perfect season in the Championship alive as they beat Widnes Vikings 42-36 in a game that sets up brilliantly for the 1895 Cup Final between the two sides.
The Broncos have been untouchable in the Championship this year, winning their first 19 games without truly breaking sweat whilst also averaging around 65 points per game.
Sunday’s clash at the DCBL Stadium against Allan Coleman’s Widnes was far from an easy afternoon as the Vikings kept hitting back at an ill-disciplined London, who opened up a healthy lead but almost got chased down.
Danny Richardson shone for Widnes but London had enough with Alex Max scoring a brace to help the Broncos take the two points back to the capital. They’ll be back in the North West later this month for the 1895 Cup Final at Warrington’s ground, though that game is in doubt with the Vikings threatening to pull out due to scheduling issues.
Defeat means that Widnes failed to capitalise on Oldam’s loss to Doncaster with the Roughyeds seeing their 17-game winning run end in considerable fashion as the Dons won 46-18.
Castleford Tigers winger Mikaele Ravalawa scored two in his first game on loan at the club with Doncaster now sitting sixth, and possibly even capable of a top four finish given their games in hand.
Also pushing for top four are Barrow Raiders, who beat Rochdale Hornets 24-14, whilst play-off sides Newcastle, Midlands and Sheffield all won well.
Newcastle remain second after beating Workington, whilst Sheffield and Midlands rank seventh and eighth after scoring 46 and 48, respectively against Keighley and Halifax.
Dewsbury missed a chance to move into the top 10 and the play-offs as they lost at home to Hunslet, who climbed to 14th, whilst basement dwellers North Wales were beaten 68-6 by Goole.
Championship Round 22 Results
Barrow Raiders 24-14 Rochdale Hornets
Midlands Hurricanes 46-6 Keighley Cougars
Dewsbury Rams 20-30 Hunslet
Doncaster 46-18 Oldham
North Wales Crusaders 6-68 Goole Vikings
Sheffield Eagles 48-16 Halifax Panthers
Widnes Vikings 36-42 London Broncos
Swinton Lions 12-30 Batley Bulldogs
Workington Town 16-40 Newcastle Thunder
Round 22 of the @Betfred Championship 👇 pic.twitter.com/y2q1WV3R8N
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 3, 2026
