League 1: Crusaders and Keighley maintain perfect starts to season

Drew Darbyshire 24 Apr 2022 8:07 PM

There were four games in League 1 this weekend, with North Wales Crusaders and Keighley Cougars maintaining their 100% record in 2022.

Rochdale Hornets ran in 10 tries to thrash London Skolars 56-22 in the capital. Tom Ashton bagged a hat-trick for the visitors, whilst Gavin Bennion, Ben Calland, Gregg McNally, Fuifui Moimoi, Ben O’Keefe, Lewis Sheridan and Callum Marriott also went over for Matt Calland’s side.

League 1 leaders North Wales Crusaders maintained their perfect start to the season as they edged past Midlands Hurricanes 22-18 in Colwyn Bay. Gavin Rodden scored a hat-trick for Anthony Murray’s Welsh outfit, with Alex Eckley also scoring. Liam Welham scored two for the Hurricanes.

League 1 favourites Swinton suffered a 30-0 defeat against Keighley at Cougar Park. The Cougars have won four from four this season. Lewis Young, Jack Miller, Mo Agoro (2) and Charlie Graham scored for Rhys Lovegrove’s side.

Oldham were made to work for the two points by Cornwall, with the Roughyeds winning 48-22 on home soil. Logan Astley – on loan from Super League giants Wigan – scored twice for Stuart Littler’s side. Owen Restall (2), Dave Hewitt, Carl Forber, Luke Nelmes and Kian Morgan also scored for Oldham. Veteran half-back Martyn Ridyard kicked eight goals. Ireland international Anthony Mullally bagged a brace for Cornwall.

Doncaster awarded 48-0 win after West Wales Raiders forfeit

West Wales Raiders forfeited their match against Doncaster due to being unable to provide suitable medical cover.

The Rugby Football League awarded Doncaster with a 48-0 victory following the Raiders’ forfeit.

A Rugby Football League statement read: “The matter was considered by the RFL board today, under Operational Rule B1:22.

“The decision to award the match to Doncaster 48-0, rather than rearranging it for a later date, was made under the revised protocol for 2022 agreed by the board last December, which states that “save in exceptional circumstances, where a club is unable to fulfil a fixture… the club failing to play the match shall forfeit the match”; and that “the match shall be awarded to the opposition 48-0”.

“These circumstances are not deemed exceptional, as West Wales have been aware of the fixture, and the need to provide suitable medical cover, since the fixtures were published in December.”

The RFL’s Compliance Department will now consider the matter.

Hunslet didn’t play this weekend due to there being 11 teams in League 1 this season.