Featherstone Rovers v Dewsbury Rams Match report by Daniel Crossfield (a dedicated flatcapper watching at the stadium)

Featherstone Rovers v  Dewsbury Rams   Betfred Championship Round 18  (Sunday 22^nd August 2021)

This was a West Yorkshire Derby as 2^nd placed Featherstone Rovers played 12^th placed Dewsbury Rams.

Could Featherstone continue their recent good form and get closer to securing 2^nd or could Dewsbury cause a upset?

It was played at the Millennium Stadium

 1^st Rovers try

After 4 minutes, it was the perfect start for Featherstone as got the ball back after Dewsbury kick, and on the last tackle, Springer barged over the line, successful conversion from Hall.

2^nd  Featherstone try

Four minutes later, a 2^nd Rovers try as they won a penalty for a tip tackle the ball got kicked into touch and were within 20m out, they moved it out wide and Blackmore score din the corner, successful conversion from touchline by Hall.

After 12 minutes, Dewsbury’s 1^st chances, their 1^st one Rovers soaked up the pressure and their 2^nd one Dewsbury spilt on the line and Rovers made 80m upfield.

After 18 minutes, Dewsbury went close with a grubber kick, but Rovers saw it out

3^rd Rovers try

Twenty minutes had gone and it was try three for Rovers as Field took a short ball , he twisted and turned and spun over the line, successful conversion by Hall.

4^th Featherstone try

Four minutes later, another well worked try for Featherstone moments after it looked like Hall was away, and Rovers forced a dropout, they got the ball back and Hall scored in the corner, another brilliant successful conversion by Hall from touchline.

5^th Featherstone try

Two minutes later, a beautifully easy try as Walker picked up a scissor pass and scored in front of the sticks, successful conversion by Hall.

6^th Rovers try

Just after the half hour, try number six for Featherstone and another easy one as they broke and Blackmore collected and offloaded to Holmes who made the hard yards to create the space for Hall who scored his 2^nd try, successful conversion by Hall.

1^st Dewsbury try

Four minutes before halftime, Dewsbury got a try as Rovers tried to get the ball wide again, and Dewsbury intercepted and Gabriel ran length of field 90m and he wasn’t getting stopped and scored under the sticks, successful conversion by Sykes. Even Rovers fans applauded the try.

Halftime score:  Featherstone Rovers 36-6 Dewsbury Rams

It was a brilliant 1^st half for Rovers, how would the 2^nd half go?

7^th Rovers try

It was a quiet start to the 2^nd half and the 1^st points didnt come until the 20^th minute which was the hour mark, Cooper scored near the line, successful conversion by Hall.

8^th Fev try

With 10 minutes remaining, there was a sinbin for a Dewsbuy player and Rovers penalty which they kicked into touch and from the 2^nd tackle, Blackmore scored in the corner, successful conversion from Hall for 8/8.

9^th Rovers try

Five minutes later, it was try number nine for Rovers as they got over 50 points as they worked it through hands and Davies slid over , successful conversion again for Hall.

10^th Feath try

There was time for a 10^th try as Jones broke and thought he’d got stopped but didn’t so he got up again and scored to the left of the sticks  for a superb individual try, successful conversion from Hall for 10 out of 10.

11^th Rovers try

There was time for one more try as Hall scored his hat-trick in the corner,  unsuccessful conversion from Hall to ruin his 100% record but 10 out of 11 is excellent.

Fulltime score: Featherstone Rovers 64-6 Dewsbury Rams

 A superb afternoon for Featherstone a sfor the 2^nd time this season they put 60+ points past Dewsbury, they remain 2^nd in the Championship, a  position that was strengthened even more by Halifax losing, it means Rovers have a 6 point gap between themselves and Halifax as we approach the playoffs .

Next up for Featherstone is an away trip to Oldham to face Oldham Roughyeds on Sunday 29^th August 3pm kickoff