We’re well into the 2026 Betfred Championship season, with Round 12 taking place at the weekend.
London Broncos put Goole Vikings to the sword at the Victoria Pleasure Ground, with Saturday’s win equalling the most consecutive wins ever for the club.
The Broncos scored twelve times in total, including doubles from Luke Smith, Neil Tchamambe and Morea Morea who continues to extend his terrific try scoring run, and have stretched their lead at the top of the tree to four points.
Similarly, Newcastle Thunder inflicted a heavy defeat on their opponents in Round 12, beating Batley Bulldogs.
In what was another home win, Thunder ran riot and scored ten tries, with young half-back Will Roberts at the heart of the action.
It’s seven straight wins for Oldham after they put 40 points on Barrow Raiders on Sunday.
Barrow initially led 12-0, before the Roughyeds fought back, and a real battle unfolded with the score-line reading 18-22 with just fifteen minutes to go.
But a burst of Oldham tries quickly put the game out of the Raiders’ reach, with Ben Davies, Josh Drinkwater and Ewan Moore all crossing to claim the two points.
Meanwhile, Dewsbury Rams were pushed all the way by Whitehaven, but Tom Delaney’s score would eventually ensure the victory.
Workington Town were worthy winners in Round 12, courtesy of a Jake Carter masterclass, and in turn ended Hunslet’s recent winning run.
There was drop goal drama in Keighley Cougars’ and Halifax Panthers’ tie – in some ways mirroring their most recent meeting back in 2023, although this time it wasn’t as close, and it was the Cougars who came out on top.
Elsewhere, it was a huge afternoon for Swinton Lions who secured their first win of the 2026 Championship campaign after seeing off Midlands Hurricanes in style, whilst Max Roberts’ match-winning try against Sheffield Eagles means Widnes Vikings climb up the league ladder.
Oldham, Newcastle, Barrow and Widnes are all locked in on 16 league points, four behind league leaders London. The middle of the league table is also extremely tight heading into Round 13...
Betfred Championship Round 12 results:
Doncaster v North Wales Crusaders - P–P (postponed)
Goole Vikings 10 London Broncos 70
Newcastle Thunder 52 Batley Bulldogs 8
Barrow Raiders 18 Oldham 40
Dewsbury Rams 22 Whitehaven 12
Hunslet 6 Workington Town 38
Keighley Cougars 29 Halifax Panthers 20
Swinton Lions 28 Midlands Hurricanes 10
Widnes Vikings 16 Sheffield Eagles 12
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
Photo Credit: Newcastle Thunder
