Leeds Rhinos extended their unbeaten start to four games with a resounding 78-28 win at Hull, Josh Butler the star with five tries.
Nathan Collins was also on top form for the visitors, posting four tries and nine goals for a 34 point haul and England skipper Tom Halliwell claimed a hat trick. Welsh international Jodie Boyd-Ward crossed twice and Ewen Clibbens kicked two goals in the Rhinos’ total. Hull took the lead when new England call up Tristan Norfolk went over but they were behind 36-10 at the break, Michael Midgeley with their second touchdown.
Despite back-to-back tries for Norfolk and Midgley in the second period, Leeds remained in control, Martin Norris the black and white’s other scorer, Norfolk also adding four goals.
London Broncos moved up to second, above reigning champions Halifax, putting in a dominant performance to down the Panthers 66-22 in Medway. Jack Linden was in superb form, posting four tries for the hosts including two during a six-try blitz in the first half which gave the Roosters the ascendancy and a 38-12 lead. Joe Coyd was also outstanding, finishing with three tries and eight goals, fellow international Lewis King going over twice.
Freya Levy opened the scoring for the hosts, Jason Owen and Scott Trigg-Turner also crossing for the Roosters, Owen with a goal. Wayne Boardman, Jeremy Bourson, Rob Hawkins and Tom Martin ran in tries for Halifax, Boardman with three goals. Roosters and England head coach, Tom Coyd, commented: “That was our best-ever performance and will give our players confidence that the hard work they have been putting in to training and preparation is working and seeing us improve. We had a tough day at Hull recently, a real wake up call and this was the perfect response. We stayed focused, played our way and capitalised on every Halifax mistake.”
In Phil Roberts’ last game, Wigan ran in 30 tries to demolish Warrington 158-18, the player/head coach collecting four of his own. Son Declan led the way with five tries and 18 goals for a staggering 56 points, Jack Heggie crossing four times as did Adam Rigby. Toby Burton-Carter claimed three of Warrington’s four tries and their goal, Stu Williams their other score.
By Phil Caplan
