Momentum with Leigh as they crush York

LEIGH continued their stunning start to the 2020 Betfred Championship season with a 34-0 home victory against York.

The two sides were very evenly matched in 2019 - the City Knights recording one-point wins in both meetings - but John Duffy’s side reinforced their promotion credentials with a comprehensive six-try performance.

Two tries from Liam Forsyth put the home side 10-0 up at the break, while Iain Thornley, Liam Hood, Ben Hellewell and Matty Wildie all crossed in the final 20 minutes to cap off what was a fantastic day for the club.

Prior to kickoff, Leigh announced the signing of former Hull KR winger Ryan Shaw. The 27-year-old - who scored three times in three appearances while on loan at the

Centurions in 2012 - has joined the club after a short spell with rugby union side Yorkshire Carnegie.

A first-half blitz from Batley condemned Swinton to defeat at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.

The Bulldogs went over for four tries in the opening 40 minutes to take control of the tie, though the Lions did get on the board through Mitch Cox and Frankie Halton in the final quarter.

Rochdale progressed to the fourth round of the Challenge Cup with a 54-10 victory over York Acorn in the rearranged tie held at the AJ Bell Stadium. The highlight was a 26-point haul from Sam Freeman, who went nine from nine attempts with the boot and scored two of his side’s nine tries. Hornets’ fourthround tie is against the British Army.

In the late OuRLeague game up in Cumbria, Oldham picked up their first points of the season with a 16-14 win over Whitehaven.