27 April 2014

This clash of Championship titans had been highly anticipated by supporters of both sides. It took less than two minutes for the home side to strike. They shifted the ball wide to the left for Liam Kay to sprint past his man before giving the ball inside to Ryan Brierly, who ran in beneath the sticks. Rovers responded within ten minutes, when Ian Hardman showed his initiative with a kick into the right corner which Will Sharp pounced on to close the margin. Then Hardman delayed his pass, drew his man and then sent James Mendeika in to position Rovers in front. Featherstone looked to be taking control of the game, shifting the ball to the right where Mendeika's sublime pass secured Sharp's brace. Then Greg McNally found his way through and offloaded to Brierly on his outside, who proved his class with a calm finish between a defending pair. It was all square entering the interval, despite Rovers' dominance; however the stage was set for them to exhibit their class in the subsequent forty minutes.

Less than twenty seconds had passed since the resumption of play, when Andy Bostock departed the field with an ankle injury. Rovers had plenty of sets in opposition territory, but their execution was lacking and they were unable to capitalise. Turning the tables Leigh gave Featherstone a lesson on how to seize their opportunities when the ball was chipped over to the left and Kay showed his pace, winning the race to score in the corner. Ridyard's conversion then curved wide at the last moment leaving the difference at just four points. The Centurions took their opportunities, as the Rovers should have in the first half as Haggerty twisted over Then as they sliced through on the right Brierly was characteristically supporting on the inside to take the lead to fourteen. Minutes before, Featherstone had failed to finish another chance as Ellis was held over the line. Hardman then took on the line, before combining with Mendeika again, who clattered over for his second try, which was only a consolation effort.