League 1 round-up: Ah Van bags hat-trick on North Wales debut, Moimoi’s Rochdale victorious & Keighley thrash Doncaster
There were plenty of thrills as the new League 1 season finally got underway after a year-long hiatus.
Patrick Ah Van grabbed a hat-trick on his league debut for North Wales as they kicked off the new season with a 44-22 win over London Skolars.
Jordan Gibson (2), Jono Smith, Rob Massam and Earl Hurst also crossed for the Welsh side at the New River Stadium.
Matty Henson and Declan O’Donnell both scored twice as Workington opened their account with a 28-16 win at Hunslet.
Their doubles came after scrum-half Jamie Doran had opened the scoring for Town in the 10th minute.
Barrow ran in seven tries to round off a gritty 38-20 victory away at Coventry.
Jake Carter and Mark Tyson both scored twice for the Raiders at the Butts Park Arena.
Fuifui Moimoi made his League 1 debut for Rochdale, but it was Sean Penkywicz who stole the show with a four-try display against West Wales.
READ: Life begins at 40: Fuifui Moimoi rumbles on with Rochdale
The Raiders, without big-name recruit Gavin Henson, struggled against the Hornets at the Crown Oil Arena, despite Rangi Chase’s presence in the halves. Matt Calland’s side, heavily tipped for promotion this season, wrapped up a 40-16 victory thanks to further scores from Gavin Bennion, Danny Yates and Lewis Sheridan.
Keighley ran in seven tries to begin the new season with a commanding 44-18 win over Doncaster.
Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e, Charlie Graham, Aaron Levy, Alfie Seeley, Jack Coventry, Brenden Santi and Jack Miller all got on the scoresheet at Cougar Park.
League 1 round one results:
London Skolars 24-44 North Wales Crusaders
Coventry Bears 20-38 Barrow Raiders
Keighley Cougars 44-18 Doncaster
Rochdale Hornets 40-16 West Wales Raiders
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