This was the start of the 2022 season for York and Featherstone, it was on a Monday night due to the new TV deal for the Championship which means at least 1 game a round will be on Premier Sports.
So could York start well or would Featherstone prove too good for them like they were on all 3 occasions last year?
It was played at the LNER Community Stadium.
After seven minutes, Sene-Lefao went close to scoring, but Marsh denied him on the line.
1st Featherstone try – first try of the season
After 21 minutes, Featherstone scored their 1st try of the 2022 as Smith crashed over from short range, successful conversion by Hall.
2nd Rovers try – Bussey crashed over
Three minutes later, Lockwood played a short ball and Bussey crashed over, successful conversion by Hall.
1st York try – Rovers fumble allowed York to score
Just before the half hour, a high ball was fumbled by Rovers, Brown won it in the air and passed it inside to Glover who went over to score for York, successful conversion by Ellis.
Just after the half hour, Rovers awarded a penalty and kick to touch and Davies held up over the line. Then Holmes’ grubber kick was taken over the line for a goal line dropout, Trout took the first tackle, then flat pass got Bussey to within ten metres and then Pickersgill was held up over the line superbly by Harrison.
York had a couple more chances and got close but nothing happened.
Halftime score: York City Knights 6-12 Featherstone Rovers
It was a decent but attritional first half, could Rovers continue with the scoring in the 2nd half?
Six minutes into the 2nd half, a superb goal line defence by Rovers kept York out.
3rd Rovers try defence into attack by Fev
After 49 minutes, Rovers turned defence into attack as Moors created space in the middle for Pickersgill who put Hardcastle in at the corner, successful conversion by Hall.
Four minutes later, Featherstone stopped twice as Holmes brought ball central by Lockwood, Wildie came right and Smith went close, before Bussey met by Teanby.
4th Featherstone try try out wide by Briscoe
A minute later, the ball went wide and Briscoe dived in at the corner, to score, successful conversion by Hall to give Featherstone an 18 point lead.
A couple of minutes later, Gale thought he’d scored for Rovers but play pulled back for a forward pass.
2nd York try – forced their way over
With 15 minutes remaining, York forced their way over through Jubb close to the sticks, successful conversion by Ellis under the sticks.
5th Featherstone try
After 72 minutes, Holmes attacked superbly and ball went through hands and Hall scored, unsuccessful conversion but Rovers led by 16.
Penalty for Rovers
With a minute remaining, Rovers awarded a penalty and Hall successful converted it.
Fulltime score: York City Knights 12-30 Featherstone Rovers
A good start to the season for Rovers as they scored some good tries and won the game five tries to 2. York played their part too but Rovers too strong for them.
Highlights of the game are at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvmftG6PoTI&t=4s
Next for Featherstone is their 1st home game of the season against Leigh Centurions at the Millennium Stadium on Monday 7th February with a 7:45pm kickoff.
