The Championship Chat: Round 6, 2017

Zack Wilson

Olympique fight off Lions

Toulouse won an exciting game on Saturday at Stade Ernest Argeles by 36 points to 28, holding off a brave fightback from the visitors. An exciting first half brought a scoreline of 20-14 to the home side at the break, but Swinton were never able to quite catch up in the second stanza. Toulouse scored seven tries to Swinton’s six in an exciting game, in which the Lions’ four missed conversions would prove crucial.

 

Hornets battle back for derby draw

Oldham allowed a 12-point lead to slip in the last nine minutes, with Rochdale securing a 26-26 draw that looked unlikely at one stage in the proceedings. Late tries from Bennion and Maneely pulled things back for the Hornets, after it looked as though a Scott Leatherbarrow penalty had put the scoreline beyond reach of the visitors. Rochdale coach Alan Kilshaw admitted that Oldham had kicked better and probably deserved the win, but he was delighted with the attitude of his players. The fans seemed to enjoy the contest too.

 

Fax break bucking Broncos

Halifax picked up their third win of the campaign with a good 19-6 win over an in-form London side. The minutes applause for Fax Hall of Famer Ronnie James seemed to inspire the home side. The tight contest was only 8-6 to the home side at the break, with tries from Steve Tyrer and Simon Grix cancelling out one from London’s Scotland international Ben Helliwell. A try and drop goal from Garth Moore, plus three goals from Steve Tyrer, who found his range in the second half after missing two first-half conversions, was enough to earn a satisfying win for the home side.

Robins’ hot streak burns Rams

Hull Kingston Rovers took a large following of fans with them to West Yorkshire on Sunday, and those loyal followers were rewarded with a convincing victory to cheer them on the long road back to the East Riding. Graeme Horne and Maurice Blair scored their first tries of the season for the Robins, while Andrew Heffernan bagged a brace, and Jamie Ellis kicked eight goals from eight attempts. Rovers never looked in any trouble, with their 24-0 half-time lead being converted into a convincing win which keeps them at the top of the table.

 

Bulls win Dog fight

Bradford secured their third win in four games with this 44-22 home win over Batley Bulldogs on Sunday. Jonny Campbell haunted his old team, as he bagged a brace of tries for the Bulls, who took command of the game in the second half. The first half ended tied at 18-all, with neither side taking control. But it was the Bulls who powered ahead in the second half, with Scotland international Oscar Thomas picking up another man of the match award to go with his six goals.

 

Rovers shoot Eagles down

Featherstone made the short trip to Wakefield to play Sheffield, and came away with a convincing 47-22 victory. The win keeps them in second place, two points behind top side Hull KR, and two ahead of the fast-rising Toulouse. Although the Eagles started well, Fev would be in control of the game by half-time, and never really looked like losing. Man of the match Anthony Thackeray scored two tries and a drop goal for the visitors, who look a good bet to make the Middle Eights already.

 

 

Championship Batley Bulldogs

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