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

Updated on July 18, 2022

Featherstone Rovers v Halifax Panthers Betfred Championship Round 20 (Sunday 5^th September 2021)

This was a game that didn’t really matter in terms of positions in the table as both 2^nd placed Featherstone and 3^rd placed Halifax have already secured their playoff place, but it was important for bragging rights and momentum going into those playoffs.

Also Featherstone were aiming for a world record of as many flatcaps in one place at the same time, and they did beat it as 517 flatcap wearers took part in this attempt.

So who would win the final West Yorkshire derby of the regular season between these 2 anyway?

It was played at a sunny Millennium Stadium.

After just a minute, Rovers ended their 1^st set on the Halifax 30m line.

Two minutes later, Halifax completed their 1^st set inside Rovers 30m , then a minute later, Rovers dragged Saltonstall into touch after his kick.

1^st Rovers try

After 5 minutes, it was a good start by Rovers as they forced a drop-out which was followed by another set of 6 and they made the pressure count as they got out wide and Walker scored after pouncing on a loose ball in the in-goal area, unsuccessful conversion from Hall as he hit the post.

1^st Halifax try

After 13 minutes, Halifax went in front as they won a penalty and got near Rovers line , then McComb weaved his way over to the left of the sticks, successful conversion by Robinson.

2^nd Featherstone try

This was the funniest and the strangest try youâ€™ll ever see after 15 minutes as Rovers kicked off, the Halifax man dropped the ball, the ball hit the post, then the Halifax man dropped it again and Chisholm was there to dive over, successful conversion by Hall and Rovers in front.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1434523259970760707 – link to a short video with this try on

Halifax penalty

After 20 minutes, Halifax won a penalty and they took the 2, Robinson successfully converted.

Just before the half hour, Rovers nearly scored as they got it out wide from a Halifax error, but Rovers threw a forward pass.

3^rd Rovers try

Just after the half hour, a scruffy try for Featherstone as they got it out wide , the ball was dropped, referee played on and Gale scored in the corner, unsuccessful conversion from Hall.

4^th Featherstone try

After 35 minutes, a well-worked try by Rovers as they worked it through hands , and Hall passed wide for Blackmore to dive over in the corner, unsuccessful conversion from the touchline for Hall.

5^th Rovers try

Just before halftime, a brilliant break and an inside pass from Davies to Chisholm who raced away to score, successful conversion by Hall.

Halftime score: Featherstone Rovers 24-8 Halifax Panthers

A good first half from Featherstone, the only criticism is that they didnâ€™t kick all their kicks as they could have been further ahead, could Rovers keep the momentum going 2^nd half?

6^th Feath try

After 42 minutes, Jones crashed over from short range under the sticks after an offload from Springer , successful conversion by Hall.

2^nd Halifax try

Seven minutes later, Halifax responded as Garside scored, unsuccessful conversion from Robinson.

After 53 minutes, Rovers won a penalty and opted for the 2 points, Hall successfully kicked it.

7^th Rovers try

Just before the hour mark, another try in the corner as Blackmore got over for his 2^nd try, successful conversion from touch from Hall.

3^rd Halifax try

Just after the hour, the tryfest continued as Halifax scored their 3^rd as Rovers made an error and Barber scored, successful conversion from Johnson.

8^th Feath try

Two minutes later, a brilliant interception try for Rovers as Gale ran the length of the field to score under the sticks for his 2^nd try, successful conversion from Hall.

4th Halifax try

After 66 minutes, Woodburn-Hall did a weaving run to get over , unsuccessful conversion from Robinson.

9^th Featherstone try

With two minutes left, Rovers scored their 9^th try as Ferres crashed over following an Halifax error, unsuccessful conversion from Hall.

10^th and final Rovers try

With a minute left, it was the 50 up for Rovers as Brown used clever footwork to get over under the sticks, successful conversion from Hall.

Fulltime score: Featherstone Rovers 54-22 Halifax Panthers

So another brilliant and solid afternoon for Featherstone as they win their final West Yorkshire derby of the regular season, and in the process put 50 past one of their rivals.

Next for Featherstone is their final away game of the regular season in the capital as they go to London to play London Broncos at Ealing Trailfinders on Sunday 12^th September 3pm kickoff.