Lane suffer opening day loss to strong Hunslet side
Hunslet ARLFC expressed their National League Premier title ambitions and got off to an impressive winning start with a 30-4 verdict at Lock Lane.
The Castleford outfit were, in fact, condemned to relegation in 2025 but were given an unexpected reprieve when the RFL agreed to give promoted Ince Rose Bridge dispensation to drop into the Conference North West.
Lock Lane showed enough signs against Hunslet that they are worthy of retaining their top-flight status, although the hosts had to wait until four minutes from time, by which stage the south Leeds side were 30-0 up, before posting their solitary try, by Rob Jowett.
Hunslet ARLFC, who had lost 30-6 in Castleford in 2025 had to wait until the half-hour approached before opening their account. But touchdowns on 26 and 29 minutes for, respectively, Ben Shulver and former Hunslet three-quarter Alfie Goddard, both converted by Harry Shackleton, helped establish a 12-0 interval lead.
Three more tries followed by the hour, with Goddard powering over and livewire winger Tyler Dargan bagging a brace, the second of which Shackleton improved.
The visitors closed their account when Harry Dodd bustled in as the game entered the final quarter.
Featherstone Lions are top of the Yorkshire B Conference after opening their account with a 36-0 rout at Kippax Welfare.
Fryston Warriors also kicked-off their campaign on a winning note as they defeated Siddal Academy 28-6.