Wakefield Trinity secured a thrilling victory over Widnes Vikings to extend their unblemished start to the season, while Featherstone Rovers suffered their third consecutive Championship loss.

When the 1895 Cup winners got back into league play, Daryl Powell predicted that his team would be “outstanding.” Even though there were moments when the DCBL Stadium was unattractive, Trin managed to get two more points, bringing his record in the Championship to 11 wins from 11.

Joe Lyons’ cross put them behind early in the game, and Tom Gilmore’s conversion put them ahead 6-4. Despite a try by Derrell Olpherts, they were still behind at the half.

Though Widnes scored two tries to make it a nerve-wracking finale, Wakefield took the lead with three rapid tries in a nine-minute burst at the beginning of the second half.

Five minutes into the second half, Renouf Atoni scored from close range, and then Oliver Pratt, who scored twice at Wembley on Saturday, scored following a beautiful move. Then, Lachlan Walmsley, who had also scored in the 1895 Cup final thrashing of Sheffield Eagles, capitalised on a miskick by Luke Gale to make it 20-6.

Those who assumed the task was finished were made to reconsider after Sam Wilde brought Widnes back into the contest. Rhodri Lloyd’s goal in the 79th minute was too little, too late as Wakey managed to hold on for a 20-18 victory, giving them a six-point lead at the top of the table.

The team six points behind Trin is Sheffield, the 1895 Cup finalists that were defeated last Saturday in South Yorkshire, 18-16 against Featherstone Rovers.

It’s the third straight loss for Fev, who trailed 16–12 with 15 minutes left after rallying from 6-0 and 12–6, only to lose to a late try by Kris Welham.

After a grubber kick got past the visiting team’s defence, Welham grounded the ball to give the Eagles the lead in the thirteenth minute. However, following strong work from Caleb Aekins, Connor Jones’ 15th try of the season tied the game at 6-6 for Rovers.

James Glover, however, crossed from out wide to give Sheffield the lead at halftime. However, Gareth Gale and Paul Turner’s two tries in the final 13 minutes of the second half erased their lead.

Turner had a big impact on Gale’s 52nd-minute effort when he found the standout winger with some deft footwork. And following a Sheffield mistake, Turner easily crossed to give Fev the lead for the first time in the game, making it 16–12.

But with three minutes left, Welham went between the posts to give the home team the lead.

In order to win three straight games and move into the top half of the table for the first time this season, the Batley Bulldogs had to overcome deficits of 10-0 and 16-4 against the Swinton Lions.

The home team jumped out to an early 10-0 lead with to a double from Hatton, but Joe Burton finished expertly in the corner after Josh Woods’ looping pass.

Alistair Leak came off the bench and had an immediate impact, cutting the lead to 16-10 at halftime after Williams had made it 16-4.

After Batley fiercely guarded their own line, Burton scored his second, and with ten minutes remaining, Dane Manning gave the Bulldogs their first lead by breaking through the Swinton defence.

Mark Moxon’s team faced late pressure to defend, but they managed to hold on and win.

In other games, Bradford Bulls defeated Whitehaven 36-18 in Cumbria, while York Knights defeated Dewsbuy Rams 40-0 at FLAIR Stadium.

Toulouse defeated Doncaster 52-0 yesterday, while the Halifax Panthers mounted a fantastic comeback to defeat the Barrow Raiders 38-28.

Thomas Doyle’s future has been assured by Wakefield Trinity with a two-year contract.

Since joining Trinity at the beginning of the season, the well-liked hooker has been a revelation, so fans will be happy to learn that Doyle will now be with Wakefield through at least the end of 2026.

The 24-year-old, who came up via the Bradford Bulls academy system before joining Keighley Cougars, made the transition to a full-time setting this year.

Doyle has played in 15 games so far in 2024, scoring a game-winning try shortly before halftime at Wembley during Wakefield’s triumph in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final.

“I’m over the moon to be staying at Wakefield for the next two years. It’s been something that I’ve been wanting ever since the start of pre-season. As soon as I got to know the players and the coaching staff here, I wanted to extend my time here. Working with these experienced coaches has really brought my game on leaps and bounds.

The competition that I am around with the rest of the team has really spurred me on in my game; I’m always competing with people. I’m not the finished product yet but I’m looking forward to stepping up next year and challenging myself at the most top level.”

Doyley has been a pleasure to work with throughout the preseason, according to Trinity Head Coach Daryl Powell. His work ethic is exceptional, and he’s becoming better at hooking people all the time. We are thrilled to have him stay longer with the team, and I have no doubt that we have a reliable Super League player who will only improve in our setting.

“I am delighted we have managed to retain Tommy Doyle for the next two years; he has really impressed and is growing day by day in our environment,” stated Ste Mills, Wakefield’s recruitment manager. He has an excellent mentality, and I have no doubt that he will continue to be a key member of Wakefield Trinity.

Wakefield Trinity has announced their 21-man roster for their Sunday, June 16th match against the Widnes Vikings at the DCBL Stadium (KO: 3pm).

After defeating Sheffield Eagles at Wembley Stadium last week in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, Trinity will return to Betfred Championship action. Dale Powell has made three changes to the team that faced the Eagles: Harvey Smith, Myles Lawford, and Romain Franco have all been added to the roster.

The Widnes Vikings online ticket office is where you may purchase tickets for the game. The club’s retail outlet in the Ridings Shopping Centre offers coach trips as well.