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

Featherstone Rovers v  Halifax Panthers   Betfred Championship play-off semi  final (Saturday 2^nd October 2021)

This was the biggest game of both of these teams season so far, as the winner would play in the Million Pound Game against Toulouse in France for a place in Super League 2022, so who would make it to the Million Pound game? It was live on Sky Sports too to give the Championship some exposure.

It was Featherstone Rovers against Halifax Panthers in the Betfred Championship play-off semi final.

It was played at the Millennium Stadium.

1^st Rovers try

After 6 minutes and a scrappy start, Rovers kicked, Halifax dropped the ball and Rovers got another set of six , they worked it  out wide and Halton scored in the corner for his 8^th try of this season, successful conversion by Championship Player of the Year Hall.

1^st Halifax try

Five minutes later, Holmes got sinbinned for a late tackle Halifax won a penalty and they got it out wide to the right and McGrath scored a diving try in the corner, the ref went to the video ref but awarded the try, unsuccessful conversion by Harris.

Featherstone penalty

On the quarter of a hour mark, Rovers won a penalty and chose to take the 2 points on offer, Hall successfully kicked it.

2^nd Rovers try

On the halfway point of the first half, Featherstone scored their try as they won a penalty again and Kopczak charged onto a crash ball and barged his way over, again the ref went to the video ref but again awarded the try, successful conversion by Hall.

After 33 minutes, Halifax thought they were over, the referee went to the video ref again who decided no try and Rovers won a penalty and on the last tackle, Brown went close but was held up over the line.

Halftime score: Featherstone Rovers 14-4 Halifax Panthers

It was a slog of a 1^st half in the rain, Rovers edged it, how would the 2^nd half go?

3^rd Feath try

11 minutes into the 2^nd half, a good try for Rovers as they got a set restart as they got it out wide and Chisholm passed to Ferres who powered over in the corner, unsuccessful conversion by Hall.

4^th Rovers try

Three minutes later, Halifax tried short kick off and Walker did a superb break and eventually Rovers came to the right edge, Chisholm did a delicate kick ad Hardcastle scored from close range, successful conversion by Hall to give Rovers a 20 point lead.

5^th Rovers try

Just before the hour, it was a 3^rd try in 6 minutes for Rovers as Halifax tried short kickoff again, one of their players put it into touch, then near the line, Rovers got a set restart and Jones picked it up and scored easily, successful conversion by Hall.

6^th Feath try

With 17 minutes remaining,  Featherstone thought they’d scored again, as they kicked on the last with Chisholm, Halifax dropped it and Welham got fingertips to the ball, the ref went to video ref, but eventually gave it, successful conversion by Hall.

2^nd Halifax try

After 67 minutes, a mistake from Rovers allowed Halifax to score a consolation try as Harris scored, successful conversion by Robinson.

7^th Rovers try

With ten minutes remaining, the best try of the match as Halton broke through to run 50 or 60m, before he passed inside to Jones who raced away to score under the sticks, successful conversion from Hall.

Three minutes later, Cooper got sinbinned for Rovers for a late tackle.

After 76 minutes, Rovers nearly scored another try as Chisholm kicked and Jones picked it up well and looked over , the referee went to the video ref and no try but TIbbs got sinbinned for Halifax for tripping him up, Rovers won a pen for a high tackle but came to nothing. A minute later, Chisholm kicked crossfield but it came free.

With 2 minutes left, No Roves try as Hardcastle went over but double movement again.

Fulltime score: Featherstone Rovers 42-10 Halifax Panthers

Rovers played well in the end, and deserved their place in the Million Pound Game on Sunday 10^th October in France against Toulouse for a place in Super League 2022, but Halifax have had a good season too.

Do us flatcappers dare to dream?  I will certainly be dreaming all week about what could happen, but in the end it comes down to 80 minutes of rugby league on Sunday