York City Knights v Featherstone Rovers Match Report by Daniel Crossfield (a dedicated flatcapper watching at home)

York City Knights   v Featherstone Rovers Betfred Championship Round 5  (Sunday 9^th May  2021)

This was actually only the 4^th match for Featherstone as their round 4 game last week was postponed and it was against one of their playoff rivals in York City Knights, it was the last game of this particular weekend. 

This match again as all matches for the Betfred Championship are was on OurLeague  https://www.rugby-league.com/livestream or https://www.rugby-league.com/membership but not for much longer,  I’ll explain why at the end.

It was played at the LNER Community Stadium

1^st York try

After five minutes,  York scored their 1^st try Baldwinson offloaded to Dean who broke, passed to Marsh who scored under the sticks, successful conversion by Dixon.

1^st Rovers try

Seven minutes later,  Featherstone scored their first try and it was out of nothing as the ball went through hands and Gale tiptoed his way over the line in the corner, unsuccessful conversion by Brown.

Featherstone sinbin

Just before the half hour, Davies was sinbinned for Featherstone for tackling below the knee , then from that Mars did a short pass to Salter who barged over the line, successful conversion by Dixon, York were 2 scores ahead, could Rovers respond?

After 34 minutes, Hall did a good line break, was over the line and for some reason he decided to offload to Cooper who dropped the ball over the line,  I have no idea why Hall felt he needed to pass.

Three minutes later, something similar happened as Moors was nearly over and he decided to pass the ball and lost it.

Penalty conversion by Brown

On the stroke of halftime, Brown kicked a penalty for Featherstone

Halftime score: York City Knights 12-6 Featherstone Rovers

It was an attritional first half, Featherstone arguably should have scored two tries but for poor decision making they would have,  would the 2^nd half be just as attritional?

It was a strong start to the 2^nd half by Fev but they couldn’t get a try and York had a couple of chances near the line.

2^nd Fev try

Just before the hour mark, Fev scored their 2^nd try as the ball went through hands, Brown offloaded to Moors who had Gale wide and he scored again sensationally and it was his 2^nd individual try of the match, unsuccessful conversion by Brown.

After 63 minutes, Kopczak thought he’d scored but the ref awarded a penalty to Fev, which Brown converted,  it was a level game, would anyone dare attempt a drop goal?

After 74 minutes, Marsh tried   the drop goal for York but missed

3^rd Rovers try

There was drama near the end as with four minutes remaining, York had another attempt at the drop goal but it was charged down by Chisholm this time and Hall raced 70 yards to score to the left of the sticks, unsuccessful conversion by Brown.

Fulltime score:  York City Knights 12-16 Featherstone Rovers

Rovers nilled York in the 2^nd half which was excellent, and won the game late on with a brilliant try.

It kept Featherstone’s unbeaten start to the Championship intact, and they ended the weekend in 2^nd places on points per average game.

Next up for Featherstone Rovers is a home clash with Oldham Roughed on Monday 17^th May with fans back in the stadium. It will only be 1,600 fans allowed and it’ll be season ticket holders who get priority then if any capacity left,  general admission will go on sale after that. It does probably mean the end of OurLeague coverage which is a shame but hopefully I’ll be able to go back to the   stadium soon.

James Webster after the game said I can’t wait for the Featherstone lunatics to be back supporting us, so that shows how much he’s missed not having the fans.