League 1 round-up: Favourites Swinton open with big win & Keighley beat Oldham

Josh McAllister 27 Mar 2022 5:27 PM

League 1 favourites Swinton Lions opened their 2022 campaign with a 82-4 victory over West Wales Raiders at Heywood Road.

Liam Forsyth returned to action following a year out with injury. It was a dream return as the former Wigan centre opened the scoring and the points didn’t stop for Allan Coleman’s side.

Second-favourites Keighley also began their campaign with a 32-6 triumph over Oldham. Alix Stephenson, Aaron Levy (2), Lewis Young, Nathan Roebuck (2) all crossing for tries.

On Saturday, Hunslet returned home from the capital with two points following their 28-10 victory over London Skolars.

Skolars found themselves down to 12 with a red card in the second half for a dangerous tackle. Joe Summers opened the scoring, but it was London who took a 10-4 lead at the break.

However, second-half tries from Jack Mallinson, Jason Mossop, David Gibbons and Harvey Whiteley saw Alan Kilshaw’s side claim the win.

North Wales hold on against Rochdale

North Wales Crusaders survived a comeback threat from Rochdale Hornets to claim a 36-34 victory at the Crown Oil Arena. Jack Holmes, Harry Swarbrick crossing for tries, while Scott Turner scored a hat-trick.

Midlands Hurricanes played their first competitive League 1 game since their rebrand from Coventry Bears. They fell to a 48-20 defeat away to Doncaster. 786 fans in attendance at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Rugby league’s newest side Cornwall RLFC kick-off their campaign away to North Wales Crusaders on Saturday, April 2.