Championship Shield round-up: Featherstone go top, Leigh stunned, Brown inspires Swinton

There were a couple of tight affairs in the Championship Shield on the weekend.

Leigh Centurions were stunned 22-4 by Featherstone Rovers at the LD Nutrition Stadium. John Duffy’s Rovers only had 14 available players but they turned over a lacklustre Leigh outfit. The Centurions have to hope Featherstone slip up in their remaining games if they want to host the Rovers at the Leigh Sports Village for the Championship Shield final.

Swinton Lions were given a boost for their Championship survival with a 23-18 win over rivals Rochdale Hornets at Heywood Road. Wigan Warriors trio Josh Woods, Josh Ganson and Joe Brown featured on dual-registration for the Lions, with Brown getting a hat-trick. Warrington Wolves duo Morgan Smith and Pat Moran played for the Hornets.

Two tries from Brad Delaney helped Dewsbury Rams run-out 30-20 winners against Sheffield Eagles at Olympic Legacy Park. Adam Ryder, Daniel Igbinedion and Robbie Ward scored Dewsbury’s other tries. Sheffield winger Iliess Macani, who scored two tries, was sin-binned in the first half for striking.

Johnny Campbell, who has recently signed a contract extension for next year with Batley Bulldogs, bagged a hat-trick to inspire the Bulldogs to a resounding 36-16 victory over Barrow Raiders at Craven Park. Brad Day scored two tries for Batley, while Dom Brambani and Dave Scott also went over.

Featherstone are now top of the Championship Shield table, two points above second-placed Leigh.

Championship Shield Round 3 results:

Barrow Raiders 16-36 Batley Bulldogs (1,103)

Featherstone Rovers 22-4 Leigh Centurions (2,194)

Sheffield Eagles 20-30 Dewsbury Rams (638)

Swinton Lions 23-18 Rochdale Hornets (541)