There were a series of close contests across Round 6 of the Betfred Championship, and here is a round-up of all the action…
Wakefield Trinity were at home to Toulouse on Saturday, as a close-knit battle unfolded at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.
There were no points on the board until the 34th minute when the visitors opted to kick a penalty goal to take a 0-2 advantage.
Two minutes later a link-up between Max Jowitt and Lachlan Walmsley would send the winger over in a length of the field effort, with the score-line reading 6-2 at half-time.
Josh Griffin then crashed over from close range for an early try right after the break, but two quick fire tries from Mathieu Jussame and Max Stefani put Toulouse right back in the game, as the scores were levelled heading into the closing stages.
As the tense and at times scrappy affair continued, three tries from Walmsley, Renouf Atoni and Jowitt would eventually push the hosts to their six straight victory, but it was a valiant effort from the French side.
There was also plenty of action taking place in Yorkshire on Sunday, as Batley Bulldogs recorded their first home win of the 2024 season, as they faced York.
It was the Bulldogs who racked up a 22-0 lead with tries through Lucas Walshaw, Joe Burton, Robbie Butterworth and Alistair Leak, before three successive Knights tries saw the visitors fight their way back into the match.
With ten minutes ago and just six points in it, Batley were the ones who managed to hold out.
There was also little to separate Bradford and Widnes over at Bartercard Odsal, as the two Championship heavyweights went head-to-head in a brutal battle.
Widnes ensured that this week they would return home from West Yorkshire with a win, following their narrow loss to Featherstone the previous Sunday, as they pulled off a sensational comeback against the Bulls.
Bradford looked to be home and dry as they led 13-6 with ten minutes left on the clock, but a try from the Vikings’ Joe Lyons and two back-to-back drop goals from Tom Gilmore meant Widnes would snatch the spoils in dramatic fashion, breaking the hosts' hearts.
A ruthless Swinton side then proved too strong for Halifax at The Shay, as they built up a 0-20 lead inside the opening forty.
‘Fax did hit back through Louis Jouffret and Greg Eden to make a contest of it, but the Lions’ Jordan Gibson soon strolled over to cement a solid victory, as his side climb to fifth place.
Elsewhere, a competitive Doncaster continued to impress in the second tier, as they enjoyed a 38-12 victory a fellow newly-promoted Dewsbury. Sheffield Eagles also kept up their unbeaten run, producing a nine-try spectacle over Barrow Raiders - the top of the Championship hotting up as they prepare to face Wakefield on Friday.
Over in Cumbria, a tight encounter saw Featherstone Rovers pip a win against Whitehaven away to move into fourth spot in the table.
There was try fest in the first half with seven tries in total – Greg Minkin, Danny Addy and Connor Wynne (brace) were all on the scoresheet for the Rovers, as were Haven’s Owen McCarron and Joseph Romeo (brace).
Addy’s second try in the final forty would edge the Rovers in front, and despite two further tries from the Cumbrian outfit, it was Featherstone who went on to claim the win.
Betfred Championship Round 6 results:
Wakefield Trinity 28 Toulouse Olympique 12
Batley Bulldogs 22 York RLFC 18
Bradford Bulls 13 Widnes Vikings 14
Halifax Panthers 12 Swinton Lions 28
Sheffield Eagles 54 Barrow Raiders 0
Doncaster RLFC 38 Dewsbury Rams 12
Whitehaven 24 Featherstone Rovers 28
Photo Credit: RLPIX and Widnes Vikings
