League 1 round-up: Sanderson inspires Doncaster, Coventry bumper crowd, controversial drop-goal
Round 15 of League 1 was gripping, impressive and controversial.
A late drop-goal from Cain Southernwood snatched a 19-18 win for Hunslet against North Wales Crusaders at Queensway Stadium. However, there was controversy as replays back showed that Southernwood’s effort fell a couple of yards below the crossbar. Widnes Vikings players Olly Ashall-Bott, Brad Walker and Dan Norman featured on dual-registration for Crusaders, while Josh Jordan-Roberts played for Hunslet on loan from Leeds Rhinos.
Four tries from Hull FC youngster Jack Sanderson helped Doncaster thrash Hemel Stags 74-10 at Pennine Way on Sunday. Fellow Hull FC youngsters Jansin Turgut (2), Jack Downs and Jez Litten also scored for the Dons. FC ace Cameron Scott started on dual-registration for Doncaster.
Workington Town edged past Oldham 16-14 in a real old school battle at the Vestacare Stadium on Sunday. Wales international Ben Morris scored on his Town debut after recently joining on loan from St Helens. Fuifui Moimoi was sin-binned in the 68th minute for a high tackle.
There was a record crowd of 1,465 at the Butts Park Arena on Saturday as Coventry Bears hosted Bradford Bulls. A hat-trick from Elliot Minchella and two from Sam Hallas helped the Bulls to a 62-12 victory. Toronto Wolfpack forward James Laithwaite featured for Bradford on loan, while London Broncos duo Kam Pearce-Paul and Jacob Ogden played for the Bears.
London Skolars won their first game in eight weeks thanks to a dominant 62-12 win over West Wales Raiders at Stebonheath Park. Lamont Bryan and Iliess Macani both scored hat-tricks for the Skolars, while Vinny Finigan and Lameck Juma got two each.
York City Knights produced another fine performance as they saw off Newcastle Thunder with a 24-6 scoreline at Bootham Crescent. Hull Kingston Rovers quartet Will Oakes, Matty Marsh, Josh Johnson and Jordan Walne featured for York on dual-registration.
Two tries from Dave Thompson helped Whitehaven to a 28-14 victory over Keighley Cougars at the Recreation Ground on Sunday. Benn Hardcastle bagged a brace for the Cougars, while his team-mate Dan Parker was sin-binned on the hour mark for a high tackle.
Bradford sit top of the League 1 table, while York, Hunslet, Oldham and Workington complete the top five.
League 1 round 15 results:
Coventry Bears 12-62 Bradford Bulls (1,465)
Hemel Stags 10-74 Doncaster (108)
North Wales Crusaders 18-19 Hunslet (317)
Oldham 14-16 Workington Town (486)
West Wales Raiders 12-62 London Skolars (224)
Whitehaven 28-14 Keighley Cougars (592)
York City Knights 24 -6 Newcastle Thunder (1,212)
