The Easter Weekend turned out to be a cracker in the Betfred Championship, with plenty of teams claiming the spoils over their nearest and dearest.
The Cumbrian Derby got things underway, and it was Workington Town who came out on top after fighting their way back from 8-0 down in the early stages.
Jake Carter proved to be the man of the hour in adverse weather conditions, as he produced the match-winning score on Derby Day, as Workington continued their winning run over their nearest and dearest.
This instalment of the South Yorkshire Derby was one to forget for Sheffield Eagles who were nilled on home soil by fierce rivals Doncaster on Good Friday.
Richard Horne's men got off to a fantastic start in the first half of Round 9 and led by 32 points at the break thanks to tries from Bureta Faraimo, Luis Johnson, James Glover, Cory Aston, Tom Holmes and Connor Jones.
Glover and Jones both completed braces in the second half as Reece Lyne also got on the scoresheet in what was both the Dons' highest scoring and biggest winning margin in Sheffield.
Doncaster have now moved level on league points with London Broncos at the top of the Championship table.
Barrow Raiders enjoyed the spoils over Widnes Vikings in a physical affair between the two sides.
Despite Nathan Connell opening the scores for Widnes after the half an hour mark, the hosts hit back on the half-time siren as Jarrad Stack pounced on a short kick from Ryan Johnston to crash over.
Barrow then started the second half better, with Tee Ritson running the ball 70 metres and crossing under the posts to stretch the advantage further.
The Vikings struck back 15 minutes from time, with Ryan Ince diving over in the corner to close the gap.
But it would be Paul Crarey’s side who secured the win late on, as Curtis Teare found a gap down the right edge before passing back inside to full-back Luke Cresswell to go over under the posts.
Oldham made it four wins on the spin with a confident victory over neighbours Rochdale Hornets.
The Roughyeds ran six tries past their opponents, including a brace from Jack Walker.
The traditional Heavy Woollen Derby played out a classic, as Batley Bulldogs snatched victory at the death against their old enemies, Dewsbury Rams.
Pulsating action took place at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium, but it was to be two times in two weeks that Paul March’s men would suffer late heartbreak, and on this occasion, it was Josh Woods’ dramatic drop goal.
The Rams had led 12-0 and 14-6 only for the Batley to keep fighting back. And when Thomas Delaney crossed in the corner to make it 20-14 with five minutes remaining, it looked like Paul March’s men were going to maintain their unbeaten away record in 2026.
But Robbie Butterworth’s converted try got the Bulldogs level before Woods one-pointer had the final say.
Elsewhere, Newcastle Thunder triumphed against Goole Vikings, and on Saturday, a points fest unfolded at Cougar Park and Hunslet held out to claim their first win since Round 4.
On Easter Sunday, Salford secured their second win of the campaign after beating local rivals Swinton Lions at Heywood Road. Sam Bowring's score on the 65th minute was what sealed it for the Red & Whites.
Midlands Hurricanes then cruised to victory against North Wales Crusaders to move up to third in the league ladder.
Betfred Championship Round 9 results:
Whitehaven RLFC 14 Workington Town 22
Sheffield Eagles 0 Doncaster RLFC 46
Barrow Raiders 18 Widnes Vikings 8
Oldham RLFC 36 Rochdale Hornets 10
Batley Bulldogs 21 Dewsbury Rams 20
Goole Vikings 14 Newcastle Thunder 32
Keighley Cougars 30 Hunslet 42
Swinton Lions 10 Salford RLFC 20
North Wales Crusaders 18 Midlands Hurricanes 56
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
Photo Credit: Batley Bulldogs
