Featherstone Rovers 34 Hull Kingston Rovers 22 With the decimation of the pre-season arrangements due to the weather, this was to be the first run out for seven of the first team and with only one week to go to the start of the season proper, it was important that they jelled right from the start. Hull K.R. had brought a mixed squad with possibly nine players that would be listed for their first SL game supported by fringe players in the first team pool and would certainly give Featherstone a good work out.
The Robins were in fact the first team to score. A mistake on the half way line gave the visitors possession and they took good advantage as on the third tackle they spread the ball to the left and Matt Cook stepped through some unusually slack defence to plant the ball for a try which thankfully Jack Latus failed to convert. It was a penalty for a high shot on Kyle Briggs that was to set up Rovers for their first score. From the resulting tap Jon Grayshon made more ground and then from the play-the-ball Jack Lee found Stuart outside him. The defence looked for either Stuart, or Iain Morrison who powered in on his shoulder, to attack the line but a good ball across Iain found Andy Kain whose quick hands gave Matty Dale the room to cross for the first of his tries. A good conversion, not by Stuart Dickens, but by Kyle and Rovers were in front.
Anything Jack Lee could do the Robin hooker Scott Murrell could copy as he too drove under the tacklers to score from acting half. An easy conversion cut the lead again to two points. A mix up when the ball went to ground was seen as Mr Thaler as reason to wipe the count clear for Rovers and they took good advantage of this. This time it was Tony Tonks who ran outside Stuart to draw the defence whilst Stuart passed the ball wider to find Ian Hardman on a good line to break the defence. Another conversion and once again Rovers were two scores ahead. Rovers were good for their lead and were holding the Robins whilst making better ground with the ball in hand. When confusion, after an Andy Kain 'up and under' spiraled backwards, gave Rovers back to back sets they used the advantage well and after another Kain kick, this time a grubber, bounced up invitingly, Matty Dale took the ball to score his second try. No conversion so the half finished with Rovers twelve points ahead. It was a mistake by Rovers that ultimately lead to the Robins next score. Their kick after a penalty for holding down Jon Steel failed to find touch and as the reds ran the ball back a good break by Chaz I'Anson gave the supporting Liam Colbon clear space to score a converted try that cut the lead to six points. Just before the hour, came possibly the best try of the game. As Stuart drove the ball in over the visitors 20 he twisted in the tackle to flick the ball up for Ross Divorty supporting down the middle with a clear run to the line. Rovers scored their last points of the match after a break by Andy Kain. On the It was left to Hull KR to score what was really only a conciliation try when Matt Cook twisted in the tackle and scored the his second and the last try of the afternoon. A good work out for Featherstone with a much better completion rate than last weeks game and many positives to build on in training over the next week before they play Hunslet at the South Leeds Stadium.
Half Time 22 - 10 Referee Mr B Thaler Scoring sequence 0-4, 6-4, 12-4, 12-10, 18-10, 22-10, 22-16. 28-16, 34-16, Crowd:1325 © 2010 Stuart Lonsdale |
The final score which saw Featherstone two scores clear of the East Hull team did not flatter the home team as they matched the visitors all over the park and even the guile of Paul Cooke was not sufficient to close the gap.
They extended this lead only six minutes later when once again indiscipline by the visitors gave Rovers good field position and after Iain Morrison had been stopped just short of the line, Jack Lee saw the space to dive over from acting half. An easy conversion for Kyle and the gap in scores was widening.
last tackle it looked like the opposition had cut down his options for the kick as they closed in round him so instead he ducked under the tackle and broke down the field. Ian Hardman like every good full back was supporting the break and was able to take Andy's pass and score under the sticks. Rovers were three scores in front and Hull KR were limiting their attack to chips over the defensive line as they struggled to make any headway.
