Bradford Bulls bowed out of the Kingstone Press Championship in style, in a 13-try 72-16 victory over Rochdale Hornets at Odsal, in the final round of the Championship Shield.
Ethan Ryan and Ross Peltier both scored twice for the hosts, who will play in League 1 next term after suffering relegation a few weeks ago.
James Bentley, Vila Halafihi, Liam Kirk, Sam Hallas, Ross Oakes, Omari Caro, Joe Keyes, Scott Moore and Cory Aston also found their way onto the scoresheet in the one-sided game.
Jordan Case, Chris Riley and Jack Holmes all got over the line for Rochdale.
ðŸ‘🻠What a performance from the boys! Thank you to all of the loyal fans that turned up in full voice once again! pic.twitter.com/rgNV1QEO5q
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) September 17, 2017
After a nail-biting finish, Dewsbury Rams secured a late 29-22 win over Oldham heading into the play-offs, as they finished fourth in the Shield table.
Richard Lepori, Joe Burke, Danny Grimshaw and Liam Thompson had all scored for the hosts to give them a 22-20 advantage after 56 minutes.
Paul Sykes (2) and Sam Day had crossed for the Rams earlier on and Sykes’ 75th minute penalty levelled the scores at 22-22.
Then with a minute left to play, Tom Haliday went over and Sykes then converted to give Dewsbury the lead at a crucial point. An 80th minute drop goal from the expert kicker rubber-stamped the victory for Neil Kelly’s side.
FULL TIME- @Roughyeds 22-29 @DewsburyRams
— Dewsbury Rams (@DewsburyRams) September 17, 2017
The Rams will play away at Toulouse Olympique in the semi-finals next Saturday, with the French side coming into that game off the back of a close 38-34 win over Swinton Lions.
Bastian Ader, Constantine Mika, Tony Maurel (2), Rhys Curran, Kuni Minga and Clement Boyer all crossed for the hosts.
Swinton’s scorers were Luke Waterworth, Ilias Bergal, Ben White, Mark Nicholson (2) and Chris Hankinson (2).
🉠Hier, le TO XIII s'est imposé contre Swinton.
— Toulouse Olympique (@TOXIII) September 17, 2017
👊 Pour patienter jusqu'au résumé vidéo complet demain, voici l'essai de Kuni MINGA ! 😉 pic.twitter.com/CsFrHweo1R
In a dress-rehearsal for the second Championship Shield semi-final, second-placed Batley Bulldogs secured a 34-18 win over Sheffield Eagles.
Dane Manning, Joe Chandlet, Saun Ainscough, Alistair Leak (2) and Alex Bretherton all scored for the Bulldogs.
The Eagles’ scorers were Paddy Flynn, Mark Mexico, Duane Straughier and Menzie Yere.
Wins for @TOXIII, @BatleyRLFC, @OfficialBullsRL and @DewsburyRams in the final round of Championship Shield Fixtures pic.twitter.com/KedfiPvAZY
— Championships-RL (@RLChampionships) September 17, 2017
The details for next weekend’s Championship Shield semi-finals are as follows:
Toulouse Olympique v Dewsbury Rams - Saturday 23 September, 3:30pm (CET)
Batley Bulldogs v Sheffield Eagles – Sunday 24 September, 3:00pm
