13 March 2022

Featherstone Rovers marched into Betfred Challenge Cup sixth round after a comprehensive 54-20 victory at Batley Bulldogs. Brian McDermott's men attacked with verve, pace and an abundance of clever, short passes. It was a comprehensive display, but Btaley got the scoring underway through Greg Johnson. Featherstone then took control and Junior Moors finished a powering run with a superb dummy-pass before finding Craig Hall, who scored the try and then converted. James Lockwood then found Adam Cuthbertson for a second score. Hall’s influential display continued, as found Pickersgill to extend the lead. The one-way traffic was finally stemmed just before the half-time whistle. Michael Ward pulled the gap back to ten points scorng a try and Featherstone were finally given a little something to think about.

After a spirited start to the second half from the Bulldogs, Hall once again got his name on the scoresheet. His seventh try of the season was expertly set-up by Pickersgill, and Hall added two points underneath the posts. Luke Cooper was the next to cross the Batley line, using a clever change of direction to score the try. The short ball came off again as Lockwood found Brett Ferres. The passes from Featherstone had been quick and precise throughout the game, and Batley were punished time and time again.  Perry Whiteley handed Batley a slender lifeline with a try, but Cuthbertson and Joey Leilua linked brilliantly wide on the right to hand Luke Briscoe his fifth try of the campaign. Hooley once again carved out a response for his side, taking the Featherstone back-line with him before finding George Senior, the Bulldogs showing spirit to continue the fight. Connor Jones showed tremendous power to break through the lines, and found Wildie to score a pulsalting try. The conversion had Featherstone eyeing the half-century, as they looked to crown a dominant performance. They didn’t have to wait long for it, as Brian McDermott’s side went further in front through Ryley Jacks. Craig Hall’s precision from on the conversions put the game to bed conclusively.