Featherstone Rovers 28 Whitehaven 6 An eagerly awaited clash this one. Not because it was Whitehaven but because this was the first NL1 fixture for Rovers in over 2 years. With a difficult journey to Salford only 3 days away, could the team reproduce the standard of rugby that has been evident on occasions over the last few weeks or would they 'freeze' on the day. They certainly froze with the conditions but the rugby was top drawer. Apart from the speed of ex Rover's winger Adebisi on the right wing, Whitehaven had little to offer and Rovers constantly made good yards as Haven struggled to cope with the aggressive running of the whole Featherstone 17.
The first few minutes passed with neither side really being able to hold onto the ball until drives by Jamie Field and Stuart Dickens brought Rovers into the Haven 20. A fast ball from acting half found Tommy Haughey coming in on the angle and he shrugged off two tacklers to go over for the first of his hat-trick of tries. Stuart attempted the kick from fairly well out but it never reached the sticks as it was picked up by the wind and bounced back onto the 10m line. From the kick off Rovers ran the ball out for three tackles until Haven were penalised for leaving a hand-in at the play the ball. From the field position Rovers drove the ball in until Andy Kain went very close to the line. No matter, because the ball was spread to Tommy Haughey and once again he stormed through 'would be tacklers' to score his second try. Stuart versus the wind. Wind 2 Stuart 0. Even with the wind behind them Haven were finding it difficult to clear their lines Rovers drove back up field and when a kick through by Andy Kain bounced back off the defender, an offside player dropping on the ball gave Rovers a penalty only metres out. The defence were far too quickly off the line and once again a penalty, but Rovers were unable to capitalise as the final pass went into touch. At every set Rovers were making yards at will up the field and another score seemed only a matter of time. Haven did cross the line early in the second quarter, only for the referee to call them back as the pass that put them through the line was well forward. Rovers continued to make good ground and intelligent kicks by Kain, Handforth and McLocklin were constantly pinning Haven back in their 20. The next score once again involved man-of-the-match Tommy Haughey. As the ball came out to him running in the centres he made ground and as he was tackled, falling backwards, he was able to throw out a pass for Lee Lingard to cross. Stuart by now was having a well deserved rest in the dugout so Tiger took the kick, but once again the wind was the winner. Rovers came back up the slope and got a second set of six when the kick through was knocked on by the defender. McHugh was held short as he drove for the line but as the ball was passed back from the play the ball, the fact that three of the Haven players had come offside meant that Tiger was able to step through a ragged defensive line to cross for his first try of the year. This meant that, incredibly, every player from 1 to 17 had scored a try during the 8 games so far this season. Tiger once again stepped up for the conversion, but although this was one of the closest attempts so far, the wind still prevailed and after four tries Rovers led 16-0 at the break. The only real action in the last couple of minutes was when Calvert was sinbinned for striking in the tackle. Whitehaven came out for the second half to face the slope, the wind and now the snow. They immediately got good field position on the back of three penalties, the A very scrappy few minutes came to an end when once again Haven were pinned for being well offside as they came off their own line and this time Stuart elected to take the 2 points on offer. From the kick off Whitehaven tried a short kick which when tapped back fell into Tiger's hands who took full advantage to make inroads into the Haven half. The ball traveled across the pitch and back before quick hands from Tiger put Wayne McHugh into a gap. The defence stopped him but he was able to turn in the tackle and release Richard Blakeway to score. With the wind behind him Stuart added the conversion. Entering the fourth quarter and once again Whitehaven were down to 12 men. Lack of discipline by their prop McDonald led to him losing his temper and after consulting with his touch judge the referee decided a yellow card was the penalty. The Haven attack breached the defence soon after this as the ball was whipped out to Adebisi. He beat two on the outside before being well tackled by Waine Pryce coming from the opposite wing to overhaul him. The Rovers defence were made to show their metal as they defended two sets of six inside their own 20 and it looked like Whitehaven would never score. Score they did though and it was a good try. Once again the ball was spread to the right to Adebisi who was close enough to the line so that even tackled he was able to plant the ball just inside the corner flag. Then followed, possibly the high spot of the game for the traveling Haven fans, when an excellent kick into the wind by Haven second rower Spencer Miller bounced on the cross bar and dropped over. Their unfailing support certainly The kick off by Rovers was caught behind the line by Leroy Joe but, as he raced up field, the enthusiasm of the Rovers team was illustrated by the chase which forced him back behind the line for another goal line drop out. This lead to a period with Rovers camped down in the Haven half until eventually as Tommy Saxton was held up in the tackle he was able to release the ball for Tommy Haughey to burst through for his well deserved hat-trick. Once again the kick was missed. No other score before the end and the Rovers fans left the ground cold, wet but elated that the first test had been so comprehensively passed. The season will throw up much sterner tests than Whitehaven at home on a freezing Friday but for a start to the season, Rovers should be well satisfied. Now to see how they fare against Salford.
Half Time 16 - 0 Referee Mr J Leahy Scoring sequence 4-0 8-0 12-0 16-0 18-0 24-0 24-6 28-6 Game breaker: Nilling Whitehaven in the first half knowing that in the second half Rovers would have the advantage of both slope and weather. Crowd 1069 © 2008 Stuart Lonsdale Any comments (constructive criticism welcomed) or volunteers please email webmaster@featherstonerovers.net
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The game started with Rovers playing uphill into the teeth of a gale and Haven capitalised upon this from the kick off as the kick was knocked on behind the line for a drop out under the sticks. The wind showed it can though be used to advantage as the Rovers drop out was carried back into their own hands as they raced off the line. 
and having to rely upon kicks over the defensive line which were handled well by Loz Wildbore. Once he was tackled over the line and Rovers had to drop out but a penalty for crossing stopped the Haven set of six. 
last of which for Rovers being in front of the kicker at a drop out under the sticks. With this possession Haven finally crossed the Rovers line but the player was held up and when the tap went back 10 metres a very loose pass gave Rovers possession to clear their half. 
deserved something to savour on the long journey home. 
