League 1 round-up: York victorious, Odsal bumper crowd, Coventry seal historic win

There were over 6,000 in attendance at Odsal this weekend.

York City Knights edged past Bradford Bulls 30-28 at Odsal on Sunday and it was a result that caught the eyes of many a rugby league fan on the weekend. Wales star Dalton Grant scored two tries for the Bulls, while Ben Cockayne put in a man of the match display for the Knights. Due to great marketing and advertising from both Bradford and York, there were a crowd of 6,441 at Odsal – incredible figures for a League 1 clash.

Danny Langtree scored four tries to help Oldham ease past North Wales Crusaders 50-6 at the Vestacare Stadium. Leigh Centurions duo Nick Gregson and Jonah Cunningham featured the for the Roughyeds on dual-registration, while Wakefield pair Luke Hooley and Lee Kershaw also played for Oldham on loan. Widnes Vikings front-rower Dan Norman played for Crusaders on dual-registration.

Newcastle Thunder returned to winning ways at Kingston Park after beating Hemel Stags 42-14 on Sunday. Evan Simons and Niall Sidney crossed the whitewash twice for Thunder, but Joe Cator was sin-binned in the second half for a professional foul.

Doncaster came from being 14-6 down at half-time to win 30-14 against Hunslet at South Leeds Stadium on Sunday. Matty Beharrell was top class for the Dons in the second half, while Hull FC youngsters Jack Sanderson, Cameron Scott, Jordan Lane and Jez Litten all featured on dual-registration.

Coventry Bears made history on Saturday as they claimed a memorable first ever victory over a heartlands team as they made it three wins on the spin. They beat Keighley Cougars 30-20 at Butts Park Arena. Mikey Russell bagged a hat-trick for the Bears, with Chris Barratt and Jacob Ogden got the other two tries.

France international Ilias Bergal scored four tries to steer Workington Town to a comfortable 46-6 victory over West Wales Raiders at Stebonheath Park. Tom Curwen, Joe Hambley, Oliver Wilkes and Andrew Dawson also crossed for Leon Pryce’s Town.

Whitehaven put in a hardworking performance to down a spirited London Skolars side 28-18 at the Recreation Ground on Sunday. Jordan Burns was outstanding for Haven and scored two tries, while Stuart Howarth controlled the game well with his kicking. London’s Matt Ross was sin-binned in the first half for persistent offences.

Bradford are still top of the League 1 table but are ahead of York only by points difference. It is going to be a very interesting end to the season.

League 1 Round 18 results:

Bradford Bulls 28-30 York City Knights (6,441)

Coventry Bears 30-20 Keighley Cougars (303)

Hunslet 14-30 Doncaster (517)

Newcastle Thunder 42-14 Hemel Stags (676)

Oldham 50-6 North Wales Crusaders (466)

West Wales Raiders 6-46 Workington Town (246)

Whitehaven 28-18 London Skolars (661)