Championship round-up: Five wins from five for Toulouse, Worthington scores four, York almost shock London

James Messenger 08 Mar 2020 5:36 PM

There were plenty of high-scoring affairs in round five of the Betfred Championship.

Toulouse maintained their perfect start to 2020 after coming from behind to beat Batley 34-14.

Eight points from Dale Morton had given the Bulldogs an 8-6 lead at the break, but second half tries from Paul Marcon, Stan Robin, Mark Kheirallah, James Bell and Hugo Pezet completed the turnaround for Sylvain Houles’ side. Kheirallah also kicked five goals as he passed 1,500 points for the club.

Featherstone recovered from a slow start to eventually run out 35-24 winners at home to Swinton.

Mitch Cox and Rob Fairclough helped the Lions to an unfancied 10-0 lead, but Rovers recorded seven tries – four of which came for Greg Worthington – to run out victors. Mike Butt did cross twice in the second half for the visitors but it proved to be in vein.

Leigh also made it four wins from four with a 34-20 win over Halifax.

Cameron Scott crossed three times for the Centurions, while there were further scores in each half for Liam Hood and Adam Higson. Jodie Broughton (2) and Ed Barbers crossed for Fax, with Shaun Robinson rounding off the scoring with a try two minutes from time.

York came agonisingly close to a first league win of the season but ultimately suffered an 18-12 loss at home to London.

All points were scored in the first half, with Rhys Curran (2) and Tuoyo Egodo helping the visitors to an 18-0 lead. Matty Marsh’s brace reduce the lead to six, but neither side could trouble the scoreboard after half-time.

Widnes produced a super second-half to run out 40-16 victors against Whitehaven.

The Vikings laboured to a 12-10 half-time lead, before second-half tries from Joe Lyons (2), Deon Cross, Joe Edge and Jack Owens wrapped up the points for Tim Sheens’ men.

Dewsbury remain just outside the play-off spots after inflicting a fourth defeat of the season on Oldham.

Andy Gabriel, Connor Scott, Joe Martin and Will Oakes all crossed for the Rams in a 24-6 win, with Ryan Ince scoring the hosts’ only try of the contest.

Bradford eased past Sheffield 28-0 at the Tetley’s Stadium in Dewsbury.

Brad Gallagher (2), Brandon Pickersgill, Jordan Lilley and Matty Dawson-Jones went over for the Bulls.

Championship Round 5 results:

Toulouse Olympique 34-14 Batley Bulldogs

Featherstone Rovers 35-24 Swinton Lions

Leigh Centurions 34-20 Halifax

Oldham 6-24 Dewsbury Rams

Widnes Vikings 40-16 Whitehaven

York City Knights 12-18 London Broncos

Bradford Bulls 28-0 Sheffield Eagles