League 1 round-up: York gain promotion, Coventry cause upset, West Wales winless season
It was another entertaining weekend of action in League 1.
York City Knights gained promotion to the Championship after beating Whitehaven 32-14 in a hard-fought battle at Bootham Crescent. The Knights have been outstanding all season and have won their last 15 games. Matt Chilton scored two tries for the Knights.
A last-minute try from Alfie Seeley snatched a 24-22 victory for Keighley Cougars against North Wales Crusaders at Cougar Park. Ritchie Hawkyard put in a man of the match display for the Cougars, while Andy Gabriel was sent to the sin bin in the first half for retaliation.
Doncaster won 44-32 against Workington Town at the Keepmoat Stadium in what was a dress rehearsal for this weekend’s play-off. Hull FC pair Jack Logan and Jack Sanderson scored two tries each for the Dons, while Jake Moore bagged a brace for Town. Doncaster’s Kieran Cross was sin-binned in the first half for a high tackle.
West Wales Raiders failed to win a single game in their first season in League 1 as they went down to a heavy 98-6 defeat to Newcastle Thunder at Kingston Park. Niall Sidney scored four for Thunder and Tyler Craig also bagged a hat-trick. Rory Nettleton, Ali Blair and Ollie Gowing scored two tries each for Newcastle.
Bradford Bulls eased past Hemel Stags 52-7 at Odsal on Sunday. Wales international Dalton Grant, Jonny Pownall and Matty Storton scored two tries each for the Bulls. Hemel’s Louis Sherriff added a drop-goal in the first half, making the score 16-1 to Bradford at the time.
Lee Kershaw scored a hat-trick to help Oldham dispatch London Skolars 46-18 at Ealing Trailfinders Sports Ground on Saturday. Paul Crook also scored a try and kicked six goals in the game. Eddie Mbaraga scored two for the Skolars.
Coventry Bears produced an upset in League 1 as they put in a professional performance to edge past Hunslet 14-4 at Butts Park Arena. Chris Barratt and Ben Gray scored for the Bears. Hunslet had Gavin Duffy sin-binned in the first half for striking, while David Foggin-Johnston was yellow carded in the second half for repeated team offences.
League 1 round 26 results:
Bradford Bulls 52-7 Hemel Stags (2,855)
Coventry Bears 14-4 Hunslet (380)
Doncaster 44-32 Workington Town (689)
Keighley Cougars 24-22 North Wales Crusaders (592)
London Skolars 18-46 Oldham (402)
Newcastle Thunder 98-6 West Wales Raiders (889)
York City Knights 32-14 Whitehaven (3,223)
