The Championship Chat: Round 5, 2017

Zack Wilson

Oldham v Dewsbury postponed

Wet weather put paid to this clash at Bower Fold. The fixture is set to be rearranged for later in the season.

 

Broncos batter Bulls

London emerged triumphant from this clash of the hooved animals in the capital, scoring seven tries as they converted a 30-6 half time lead into a 42-12 full time victory. Jarrod Sammut was to the fore again for the home side, kicking seven goals and grabbing another try. Other scores came from Walker, Kear, Garside (two), Barthau and Dixon. Colton Roche and Kevin Larroyer scored the Bulls’ tries, with Oscar Thomas kicking two goals.

 

Robins savage Eagles

Hull KR maintained their 100 percent record in 2017’s Championship with an emphatic 50-10 home win over Sheffield Eagles. Eight tries and a penalty goals were enough for them for to hit the half century, with Jamie Donaldson (two), Ben Cockayne, Andrew Hefernan, Thomas Minns, Adam Quinlan, Chris Clarkson and Jordan Abdull nabbing the tries. Dan Chisholm kicked one goal, while Duan Straugheir and Garry Lo scored tries for the Eagles.

 

Toulouse raid Fax

Toulouse managed their first away win of the campaign at The Shay, and they will hope that this win will go some way to dispelling the notion that they are going to struggle away from home all season. Gregory White and Bastien Ader scored tries for TO, with Tony Maurel kicking two goals. As has been common for the early rounds of the Championship, the weather was wet and wild in West Yorkshire, which gives this win an extra gloss for Toulouse, who have been perceived in some quarters as a side who can only play well in dry weather.

 

Hornets show sting at Fev

The upset of the round undoubtedly came at the Big Fella’s Stadium, where home side Featherstone Rovers were beaten 10-9 by Rochdale Hornets. A Danny Bridge try and two goals from Lewis Palfrey had given Rochdale an 8-2 half time lead, and although Fev fought back after the interval, a Wayne Ulugia try and goals from Michael Knowles and Cory Aston were not enough to claim the two points. Knowles kicked a drop goal on 68 minutes which seemed to have edged the win for the home side, but a late Palfrey penalty secured the victory for the Hornets.

 

Bulldogs battle back to bite Lions

Batley were 6-12 down at half time, before fighting back after the interval to win 22-18. They had to work hard to do it, though, with Matt Diskin’s side having to find a way to score points in unforgiving weather conditions. Scotland international David Scott scored two tries, as did Macauley Hallett, who also walked away with the man of the match award. Swinton’s three tries came from Robinson, Murphy and Thornley, with Atkin kicking three goals.

 

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