Round 4 of the Betfred Championship kicked off under the Friday night lights at Bartercard Odsal, where Barrow Raiders pulled off a sensational win.
Josh Wood, Ryan Johnston and Luke Cresswell were try scorers for the Raiders, as they stunned the Bulls with their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude.
Barrow trailed twice to Bradford throughout the match with the hosts’ tries in either half coming from Waqa Blake and Jayden Okunbor.
But it would be Johnston’s try that restored the visitors’ lead on the hour mark, before Cresswell’s match winner ensured victory and Barrow continued their positive start to the 2025 season.
On Saturday, Toulouse inflicted a heavy defeat on Hunslet with a splendid ten-try showing. This included four tries from Benjamin Laguerre on the right wing.
Likewise, on Sunday, Oldham v London Broncos’ tie produced exactly the same scoreline, with the Roughyeds bouncing back from their recent defeats in both the league and Betfred Challenge Cup.
Captain Jordan Turner was an influential figure on his return from injury, scoring two of Oldham’s nine tries in a dominant display.
Sunday’s action witnessed two more standout results as Halifax Panthers continued their unbeaten run.
The table topping Panthers ran riot against rivals Featherstone Rovers, racking up a 24-6 lead at half-time.
And despite an early try from the Rovers in the second half, ‘Fax quashed any possibility of a comeback as Jack Hansen crossed for his brace and in turn sealed an emphatic win.
Adam O’Brien’s late effort, as he crashed over from close range, then added further icing to the Panthers cake, as Kyle Eastmond’s men became to only team to have won their first four matches.
A relieved York Knights picked up their first win of the campaign as they came up with a rare victory at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.
Mark Applegarth’s men had been doing it tough in their opening three matches, but built up an initial 10-point lead on Sunday - with tries from Joe Law and Liam Harris.
Batley Bulldogs closed the gap to six points in the second half, but a strong defensive show alongside further tries from Jack Martin and Oli Field made sure the Knights were finally off the mark.
Meanwhile, Widnes Vikings continued to play with confidence in Round 4, but were pushed all the way by Doncaster in neck and neck battle at the Eco-Power Stadium.
There was little to separate the sides, except Widnes’ five tries to the Dons’ four.
Betfred Championship Round 4 results:
Bradford Bulls 8 Barrow Raiders 18
Toulouse Olympique 50 Hunslet 6
Oldham 50 London Broncos 6
Halifax Panthers 38 Featherstone Rovers 12
Doncaster 22 Widnes Vikings 26
Batley Bulldogs 10 York Knights 23
The full fixture list for the Betfred Championship can be found here.
Photo Credit: Halifax Panthers
