News

With Betfred League 1 passing its third of the season park this weekend, round seven matches are being played both today (Saturday) and tomorrow (Sunday).

Rochdale and Keighley, the teams occupying second and third in the standings behind leaders North Wales, start the round today with matches against Midlands Hurricanes and West Wales Raiders.

Along with table toppoing North Wales, Keighley are the only other side in League 1 to hold a 100 per cent record.

Rhys Lovegrove’s troops kept their perfect start to 2022 intact last week with 96-0 demolition of London Skolars at Cougar Park. Winger Mo Agoro led the home side’s charge with a four-timer while Lewis Young, Nathan Roebuck, Dan Parker and Charlie Graham all registered a brace of scores as Keighley crossed the whitewash 17 times. 

James Feather, skipper Jack Miller, Jake Webster, Billy Gaylor and Kyle Kesik also scored for the rampant hosts. Miller added 14 goals from 17 attempts as Keighley recorded their best ever home victory and biggest winning margin at their Lawkholme Lane base.

On back of their record-breaking round six, Keighely face the long trip to West Wales to take on Ashley Bateman’s Raiders today. 

The Llanelli-based outfit were eased aside by country rivals North Wales last time out with the Crusaders romping to an 84-4 victory.

Matt Reid and Rob Massam both claimed hat-tricks while Harry Swarbrick, hooker Callum Wood and Gav Rodden scored two tries each. 

Tommy Johnson kicked 10 goals from 16 attempts with the Crusaders’ tally completed by four-pointers from Brad Billsborough and Alex Eckley. 

The West Wales consolation score came in the first half from Fergus Simpson.

Cornwall’s conquerors from last weekend Rochdale face Midlands Hurricanes at Spotland – the second time the two sides have clashed in Lancashire this year after they met in the Challenge Cup.

The Hornets prevailed on that occasion and they go into today’s game on the back of an impressive 50-0 win over the Choughs.

Greg McNally bagged a fine trouble and ably supported by Zac Baker (2) and one each from Cian Tyrer, Dan Nixon, Ben Killam and Ben Forster, Rochdale racked up their fifth successive win.

Midlands, arguably the division’s most-improved side this term, narrowly lost out to Cornwall’s round seven opponents Hunslet at Portway six days ago.

Hayden Freeman’s early try, converted by Benn Hardcastle, gave the hosts an early lead before Hunslet hit back to score three times in six minutes. Jack Render started the Parksiders’ comeback with Harvey Whiteley and Jacob Doyle also crossing. Two Joe Sanderson goals gave the visitors a 14-6 lead before they had two players sent to the sin-bin in quick succession.

Referee Liam Rush brandished yellow cards at both Harvey Hallas (professional foul) and Ethan O’Hanlon (late-tackle) but the Hurricanes couldn’t capitalise on their two-man numerical advantage.

After the break, Matty Welham cut the Hunslet lead to just two points but Alan Kilshaw’s men found another gear as Whiteley’s try and a Sanderson penalty goal gave them real breathing space.

Hardcastle’s try, which he successfully converted, set up a nail-biting end to proceedings but Hunslet held on to prevail 22-16.

The final game of last weekend took place at the Eco-Power Stadium as two late penalty conversions from Doncaster’s Connor Robinson saw off Oldham Roughyeds as the home side were 16-12 victors.

Tomorrow Doncaster host North Wales while Oldham are without a game. The round is completed with London Skolars travelling to face Swinton Lions, who after two consecutive defeats, have slipped to fifth in the table.