Championship results and round-up from the opening weekend

Drew Darbyshire 05 Feb 2023 4:42 PM

Jarrod Sammut Barrow and Eloi Pelissier Toulouse Championship SWpix — Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

The 2023 Championship season got underway this weekend, providing plenty of entertainment and tight contests in the opening round.

The first game of the Championship season came in front of the Our League cameras on Saturday in Cumbria. Toulouse, who suffered relegation from Super League last season, eased past Barrow 24-4 at Craven Park.

Olly Ashall-Bott, Reubenn Rennie, Ben Laguerre (2), Dom Peyroux and Josh Ralph scored for the French side.

Widnes got their campaign off to a flier with a 19-12 win at York. Tom Gilmore, who returned to the Vikings ahead of this season, added a drop goal in the second half to seal Widnes’ first win of the season.

Halifax got off to a fine start with a 26-18 win over Sheffield thanks to a double from Italy international Jake Maizen, who joined the club in the off-season. Italy international James Saltonstall and Scotland winger Lachlan Walmsley also scored to give the Panthers an opening day victory.

Batley were made to work for the win in the capital, as they beat a spirited London 30-20 at Plough Lane.

Alistair Leak, Kieran Buchanan, Nyle Flynn and Josh Hodgson saw the Bulldogs secure their first victory in the capital since 1988.

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It was a real arm wrestle at Odsal as Bradford secured a hard-fought 24-8 win over Cumbrian side Whitehaven. Chester Butler, Kieran Gill (2) and George Flanagan Snr got on the scoresheet for the Bulls.

Chris Thorman got off to a winning start as Newcastle head coach. They won 18-6 away at Swinton, with their tries coming from Alex Young (2) and Nikau Williams.

Newly-promoted Keighley host promotion favourites Featherstone at Cougar Park in Monday night Rugby League, live on ViaPlay Sports 1.