Round twenty-one of the Kingstone Press Championship threw together some intriguing fixtures which could have a massive bearing on the way that the top four would be decided as we head rapidly towards the split into three divisions of eight.

There were four fixtures which would effect league standings around the cut-off with; Leigh v. Featherstone, Halifax v. Batley, Dewsbury v. London and in the afternoons late kick-off, Sheffield v. Bradford.

There was also the Cumbrian derby with local bragging rights at stake and Doncaster were looking for their first win of the season at home against Hunslet.

Doncaster finally registered their first win of the season after a titanic battle with Hunslet Hawks. Although they scored first through McLocklan the home side trailed 8-6 at the interval after Maun and Gee scored for the Hawks. The lead was extended to 26-8 in the first eleven minutes of the second half with tries from Barnett, Gee and Casey but the last half hour was all Doncaster as they ran in five unanswered tries through Fox, Clark, Snitch, Mennell and Groat to take a 34-26 win.

Leigh Centurions retained their top spot with a big 52-16 win over Featherstone, denting Rovers hopes of a top four finish. Moimoi had opened the scoring for Leigh but tries from England and Hardman put Rovers 12-6 up after twenty-two. Worthington, McNally and Brierley (2) had all added their names to the score-board before half time for a 28-12 lead and it continued to be one-way traffic in the second half. Moimoi and Brierley completed their hat-tricks and Hock added one for good measure with just a Blackmore try to show for Rovers efforts.

Dewsbury Rans kept their slim hopes of the top four alive with a 24-12 win over the London Broncos, who are now on a knife-edge themselves. The Rams led from a sixth minute Pryce try and he added another before Naiqama scored for the visitors. It was 18-6 by half time thanks to a Conroy try and three second half penalties sealed the win despite a converted try from Thomas.

It looked like it was going to be an easy afternoon for Halifax against Batley when they led 12-0 at half time through Johnston and Robinson converted tries. Batley drew first blood in the second half through Day but when Saltonstall and Johnston scored again for Halifax it was 24-6 with eighteen minutes remaining. Rettie and Hurst both scored around the seventy minute mark for 24-18 forcing Murrell to take the opportunity of a drop goal on seventy-eight. Rettie scored again for Batley in the dying seconds but the conversion was missed and there was no time for the Bulldogs to carry their momentum for a win, losing out by 25-22.

The Cumbrian derby saw an easy win for Workington as they visited Whitehaven. Two converted tries from Miller gave Town a 12-0 half time lead and Thornley, Miller (completing his hat-trick) and Sammut had made it 28-0 before a last minute Calvert consolation for the home side for 28-6.

It was the archetypal game of two halves at the Keepmoat Stadium for the afternoons late kick-off between Sheffield Eagles and the Bradford Bulls. Despite Bradford taking the lead on six through Mullaney, Togagae, Briggs, Tonks and Worrincy had given the Eagles a 22-6 lead. That was extended to 30-6 with a Worrincy try and a Bridge conversion and penalty goal. And then the Bulls awoke with tries from Mullaney (2 more to get his hat-trick), and Shaw to get the visitors back within six points. Briggs extended the lead to eight with a penalty eight minutes from time but with five minutes remaining Pitts went over for the Bulls and the lead was a slender two points. But Sheffield held on for the win to keep them two points ahead of Halifax and four ahead of Featherstone.