Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions Match report by Daniel Crossfield (a dedicated flatcapper at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)

Featherstone Rovers v Leigh Centurions AB Sundecks 1895 Cup final Saturday 28th May 2022
This was back to back 1895 Cup finals for Featherstone Rovers and for one year only, it was played at the fabulous Tottenham Hotspur Stadium , so could Rovers bring the cup home again or would it go to Leigh?

Featherstone penalty for high tackle
After 3 minutes, it was a decent start by Rovers and they won a penalty just beyond halfway, and chose to take the 2 points on offer, Hall successfully converted.

1st Leigh try- Inu scored
Four minutes later, Leigh did a crossfield kick and Inu scored in corner, he successfully converted his own try.

1st Rovers try- Hall scored in corner
After 12 minutes Rovers worked it wide, Kheirallah did a pass out wide and Hall scored in corner to left of sticks, successful conversion by Hall.

Feath penalty- Hall kicked it
After 23 minutes, Rovers won a penalty and again opted to take the 2 on offer, Hall successfully converted.

2nd Leigh try- Reynolds scored
Just before the half hour, Leigh pushed Rovers into touch and from 2nd tackle, Reynolds got over to left of sticks, successful conversion by Inu to edge Leigh ahead.
Just after the half hour, Leigh knocked on and Rovers had a good chance, but knocked on first tackle.

Rovers penalty- Hall converted
Five minutes before halftime, Rovers won a penalty and again chose to take the 2 points on offer, Hall converted it.
The last chance before halftime was a Rovers one but they knocked on.

Halftime score: Featherstone Rovers 12-12 Leigh Centurions
As expected it was a close first half in which Rovers only scored 1 try and kicked three penalties, whereas Leigh scored 2 tries, so could either side seize the advantage in the 2nd half?
After 43 minutes, Rovers unlucky as Hall went down wing but got knocked into touch. A minute later, Asiata went for the line but lost it as he stretched.

Leigh penalty- high tackle
Five minutes later, Leigh won a penalty for a high tackle and opted to go for the 2, Inu successfully kicked it to edge Leigh back in front at 14-12.

3rd Leigh try- Ferguson try but looked forward pass
After 54 minutes a controversial try from where we were sitting, as it looked like Leigh did a forward pass but play was allowed to continue and Ferguson scored in corner, unsuccessful conversion by Inu.
After 57 minutes, Briscoe broke and passed inside but Leigh got the ball.

4th Leigh try- Ipape scored
Just before the hour, Leigh got a set restart on Rovers line and Ipape was through, successful conversion by Inu and It was 24-12 now to Leigh.

After 63 minutes, Leilua passed to Briscoe who tried to pass back, but Leilua dropped it, then Leigh broke but got stopped. A minute later, Leilua broke again and Briscoe went on outside and tried to score, passed back and got tackled.

Five minutes later, Rovers got a penalty near line, Briscoe again tried to pass and again ended up in Leigh hands.

2nd Feath try- Hall scored in corner
After 70 minutes, Rovers won a penalty and worked it wide and Hall scored in corner, unsuccessful conversion from Hall from touch.

Five minutes later, Rovers broke but were unlucky.
5th Leigh try- Stone scored
With 2 minutes left, Nice kick into goal area, Rovers player thought he could let it go, but Leigh player was too quick and got it down, successful conversion by Inu.

Fulltime score: Featherstone Rovers 16-30 Leigh Centurions
Featherstone weren’t at their best and Leigh deserved it even though one of their tries was a dodgy one, but I still enjoyed the game.

You can watch the full game back on BBC Iplayer

Next for Rovers it’s back to league action and a game against the only team they haven’t played yet, as they go to the North East to face Newcastle Thunder on Thursday 2nd June with a 3pm kickoff.