27 September 2015

Rovers eased through to the Championship Shield Grand Final with a convincing victory over a depleted Town side that could only muster two useable replacements on their bench. Will Milner took Rovers into an early lead with a fine individual try, as he looked to pass outside and dummied to stroll over from 10 metres. Fifteen minutes later Ian Hardman repeated the act and powered over with men hanging on, and then Ben Blackmore latched onto Ian Hardman’s pass after Milner and Gareth Moore combined to make the space. Town then had a spell of pressure in Rovers’ half but Theerapol Ritson was tackled into touch 2 metres out. Rovers came storming back upfield and Paul Sykes stormed onto Milner’s delayed pass to beat the cover on an arching run to the line. Town then exerted more pressure on the Rovers line after Jarrod Sammut’s long penalty touchfinder. Liam McAvoy and Tom Walker used their strength to bring them close before Carl Forber put Jarrad Stack through half a gap, which was enough for him to force his way over. Their joy was short-lived however as Bradley Tagg was first to Moore’s grubber seconds before the hooter to give Rovers what seemed an unassailable half-time lead.

Town came out of the blocks much better in the second period and responded with a wonderful try scored by Sammut from Ritson’s fine break from deep in his own half. For the next 25 minutes they stood toe to toe with Rovers and started to gain the initiative. An outside chance of a fightback beckoned on 69 minutes when Sammut scored again through an inventive kick off the outside of his boot, which Jamie Doran hacked on in front of the posts for Sammut to re-gather and score.

Rovers were wobbling, but Andy Ellis eased their nerves as he scooted from dummy half and forced his way over. There was no way back for Town, although a great surge from Tom Walker went un-rewarded as he didn’t spot Sammut in support. Rovers rubbed salt into their wounds with three late touchdowns. First Moore went over after a surge from Jordan Baldwinson was supported by Jack Bussey who then passed inside. Tim Spears then forced his way over from close range, and finally Thomas Minns took a pass from first receiver to score on the hooter after Moore was hauled down short from supporting Matt James’ barnstorming run.