Round three of the Kingstone Press Championship saw Dewsbury make the long trip to the south of France to take on Toulouse, the London Broncos went north to Oldham to take on the Roughyeds and Bradford Bulls went to Swinton in search of reducing their 'minus' in the points column.
Featherstone had a local derby at Batley, the Eagles went to Halifax and Hull KR had their eyes on the top of the table when they went to Rochdale to take on the Hornets.
The Saturday afternoon kick-off saw a big win for Toulouse Olympique over a Dewsbury side who could only record a single eighth minute penalty from the boot of Sykes. First half Toulouse tries from Maurel, Robin, Minga (2) and Kheirallah, along with two Kheirallah conversions gave the home side a 24-2 interval lead. Minga completed his hat-trick four minutes into the second half and was followed over the whitewash by Canet (2), Bentley, Mika and Ader for a comprehensive 56-2 win.
Hull KR went top of the Championship with a 28-18 victory over Rochdale Hornets, the side who had started the round at the top of the pile. Middlehurst had opened the scoring for the Hornets but three tries in six minutes from Moss and Minns (2) put KR into a 12-6 lead. Hefernan scored a converted try for the visitors on thirty-eight minutes giving them an 18-6 lead at the interval. Yates and Moores both scored converted tries for the Hornets in the second half but thanks to an Ellis penalty they still trailed 20-18 going into the last ten minutes. Lunt scored three minutes from time and the Ellis conversion and last minute penalty sealed a 28-18 win.
Featherstone Rovers trail KR on just points difference after they secured a big 32-6 win away at Batley Bulldogs. It was 14-0 at the break thanks to two Hardman tries, and three goals from the boot of Knowles. A converted Handley try had made it 20-0 before Brambini scored Batley's only try of the afternoon on forty-nine. Briscoe and Carlile added further four-pointers for the visitors to take the two points.
After a big win over Toulouse last week the Sheffield Eagles landed with a bump as they went down to Halifax. Tries from O'Brien, Murrell and Johnston, all converted by Tyrer gave 'Fax an 18-0 lead but a Wheeldon try reduced the arrears to 18-6 at the interval. Blackmore and Straughier both scored four pointers for Sheffield in the second half but they were scant consolation as Saltonstall got a hat-trick, and Ambler and Tyrer both score for a big 42-16 home win.
London Broncos got their second win of the season at Oldham but it was hard fought. Clay had opened the scoring for Oldham in the opening minute but Sammut levelled things at 6-6 inside ten. Wood made it 12-6 before Ackers levelled the scores again on the half hour. A penalty from the boot of Leatherbarrow was all that separated the sides at the interval. Hewitt kicked two second half penalties to give Oldham an 18-12 lead but Harrison on sixty-six, and Williams on seventh-six, neither try being converted, snatched a 20-18 win for the Broncos.
Bradford Bulls got their first win of the season and reduce their points arrears to -10 thanks to a tough 35-28 win over Swinton Lions. The game was nip and tuck early on with Ryan and Thornley exchanging scores. Thomas then edged the Bulls in front but Robinson made it 10-10 after thirty minutes. Oakes and Mendeika both scored tries for the Bulls just before the interval giving them a 22-10 lead. A second try from Thornley and another from Murphy levelled the scores ad 22-22 approaching the hour mark. A Thomas penalty and two tries from Ryan, to complete his hat-trick won the game for the visitors and after a Thomas drop goal for a 35-22 lead a last minute Thornley try for his own hat-trick was mere consolation.
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