Whitehaven blow chance to chase Wolfpack

Whitehaven’s 13-game unbeaten run came to an end on the same afternoon that League 1 leaders Toronto Wolfpack suffered their first league defeat of the season.

The Cumbrians were beaten 15-2 at home to Barrow, their first defeat since they lost 24-10 against the Wolfpack back in March.

Barrow’s win lifts them above the Whitehaven on points difference, and denied Haven from moving within just one point of the Canadians at the top of the table.

In a change to the format, the team that finishes top of the table is guaranteed promotion to the Championship, with a second place given to the winners of the play-offs.

York captured the attention of the rugby league world with a magnificent 26-16 win over Toronto in front of more than 2600 fans at Bootham Crescent.

Elsewhere in the League 1 Super 8s, there were away wins for Workington and Keighley at Newcastle and Doncaster respectively.

In the League 1 Shield, Hemel beat Oxford, London Skolars won at North Wales Crusaders and Hunslet thrashed Coventry.

On Saturday, South Wales Ironmen beat Gloucestershire All Golds 28-20 in their first game in Llanelli under the club’s new owners.