29 June 2014

Featherstone Rovers got back to winning ways with an easy victory against lacklustre Crusaders, who continue their downward slide. Rovers were on the scoreboard inside thirty seconds as Mendeika broke through near his own line to release wingman Ben Blackmore,   who raced 50 metres down the touchline to feed the supporting Andy Kain with a simple inside pass. Although Crusaders drew level, Mendeika destroyed them with a top class finishing display, and by the time he completed his hat trick on 31 minutes the game was all over bar the shouting. Dual registered debutant Jarrad Sammut was responsible for Crusaders’ early leveller as he fumbled Karl Ashall’s speculative grubber near his own line for the opportune Jamie Dallimore to gather and plunge over, but he never put a foot wrong after that, with a sound full back display and a perfect ten goalkicking record, with nine successful conversions and a penalty after the half time hooter. Mendeika put Rovers back in front with the simplest of his tries, stepping inside the defenders on the line from Andy Kain’s flat pass, but his next two efforts were both out of the top drawer. First he received a smart offload from Danny Bridge on half way before hogging the touchline and mesmerising full back Tommy Johnson as he moved inside as if to pass to the support, before stepping outside again and winning the race to the corner; a try any top class wingman would be proud of. Minutes later another offload from Bridge released Kain who found Mendeika on his outside , but the young star looked certain to be tackled from behind before stepping clear and racing for the line. In between Blackmore picked up a stray pass from Gary Middlehurst to virtually walk his way in from 35 metres, and Andy Ellis scooted over from acting half in typical fashion from close range. There was no way back from 36-6 down and Sammut’s 40th minute penalty rubbed further salt into Crusaders’ wounds.

After the break Govin inspired a mini fightback for Crusaders; first his kick was re-gathered off a Rovers boot which gave him the opportunity to put Bannister clear to send Rob Massam in at the corner, and after Rovers responded with further tries from Liam Kent, and an 80 metre George Flanagan effort, Govin produced a clever pass for prop Johnny Walker to force his way over. Will Sharp raced down the touchline with little space to keep his try a game average with his 19th try of the season in just as many appearances.