It was a good weekend for three of the Betfred Championship’s play-off hopefuls, as Featherstone Rovers, Bradford Bulls and Batley Bulldogs all notched vital wins.

Featherstone did things the hard way against York City Knights on Saturday evening, falling behind to the visitors early, before Craig Hall’s four tries inspired the second-placed side to an important victory to keep touch with leaders Toulouse.

Elsewhere, Bradford Bulls bagged an important win at Kingston Park, as they turned over a spirited Newcastle Thunder side 36-12.

David Foggin-Johnston and George Flanagan both scored twice for the Bulls, as John Kear’s side scored 22 second half points without reply to maintain their place in the top four.

Alistair Leak’s hat-trick of tries helped fifth-placed Batley Bulldogs to a 38-6 win at bottom of the table side Swinton Lions.

Johnny Campbell (2), Greg Johnson and George Senior also scored tries, with Tom Gilmore kicking five of the conversions.Martyn Ridyard added the extra points to Luis Roberts’ try in the only reply the hosts could muster as Batley proved too strong.

Widnes Vikings suffered a narrow 23-22 defeat at Dewsbury Rams in the Betfred Championship.

The Vikings just lose out despite a strong second-half showing.

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Early tries from Matty Fleming and Jimmy Beckett saw Dewsbury get off to a quick start before Ste Tyrer crossed to pull one back for the Vikings.

Featherstone Rovers loan player Dale Ferguson got over the line to stretch the hosts’ lead with five minutes to go until the break before Riley Dean added a drop goal to his three conversion kicks on the stroke of half-time to bring the scores to 19-6 at the break.

Widnes rallied in the second half and converted tries from Deon Cross, Joe Edge and Kenny Baker saw a spirited fightback.

However, Dewsbury had enough points on the board and held on for the win to take the Rams further clear of the bottom of the table.

Whitehaven RLFC were 32-18 winners against London Broncos, the side one place above them in the Championship table.

Tries from Tom Wilkinson, Liam Cooper, Andrew Bulman, Nikau Williams and Lachlan Walmsley, who also kicked five conversions and a penalty, saw the hosts always in command.Abbas Miski, Josh Hodson and Rhys Curran went over for the Broncos and Chris Hankinson kicked all three conversions as the London side were well beaten.

Josh Guzdek converted all four of Sheffield Eagles’ tries, including one of his own, in a 25-18 victory over strugglers Oldham RLFC. Matt James, Olly Davies and Ryan Millar also crossed the line for the hosts who made the bottom of home advantage against the side second-bottom in the table.

Danny Langtree, Martyn Reilly and Tyler Dupree replied with tries for Oldham. Dan Abram converted all three tries for the beleaguered visitors.