Sean Long’s Oldham made a fairytale start to life in the Betfred Championship, as the newly promoted racked up a sensational 50 points against York Knights in Round 1.
The Roughyeds scored eight tries on Sunday, including two from new recruit and former Wakefield Trinity skipper Matty Ashurst.
Meanwhile, other newcomers Hunslet, fell to defeat at Barrow Raiders in their opening match, despite taking an early lead through Noah Booth’s intercept try.
The Raiders ran in a total of seven tries on Cumbrian home soil, with playmaker Brad Walker crossing twice and in-form winger Andrew Bulman also bagging himself a brace.
It was then a toe-to-toe battle with Championship heavyweights Bradford and London at Bartercard Odsal as the hosts grinded out a gutsy win.
Guy Armitage shone on his Bulls debut providing an instant impact 18 minutes in, as he dotted down for the first try of the afternoon.
The Broncos kept in the contest, however, with Jensen Monk’s effort giving the visitors a two-point advantage at the break. A blitz of Bulls tries in the second stanza, however, would see Brian Noble’s men claim an important two points.
Likewise, a strong second half meant that Halifax could enjoy a resounding Round 1 win over Sheffield. The first forty had been closely contested but the Panthers kept the Eagles scoreless after the interval – extremely promising signs at the start of head coach Kyle Eastmond’s tenure.
Meanwhile, James Ford’s Featherstone opened their league campaign with a solid display against Doncaster at the Millenium Stadium – a side they were beaten by at home last year.
Then, on Saturday, the Championship competition had kicked off with a tasty tie between Toulouse Olympique and Widnes, which saw the Vikings come away with a dramatic victory in the south of France.
The French side were put to the test at Stade Ernest Wallon - a place where Toulouse endured just two defeats in 2024.
But it was Ryan Lannon's decisive try that proved to be the match-winner for the visitors, as Widnes sealed their first win over the Channel since 2019.
Betfred Championship Round 1 results:
Toulouse Olympique XIII 14 Widnes Vikings 18
Oldham 50 York Knights 4
Sheffield Eagles 14 Halifax Panthers 28
Featherstone Rovers 22 Doncaster 4
Bradford Bulls 20 London Broncos 6
Barrow Raiders 38 Hunslet 12
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
Photo Credit: Oldham RLFC
