21 August 2022

Rovers overcame repeated tests of adversity as they secured a win against a dogged Barrow side. Rovers started much the brighter side and an attack push seemed to be almost certain to end in a try when Ritson picked the pass and raced the length of the field to score for the hosts.  Rovers responded within five minutes, Johnathon Ford who has grown back into the commanding halfback role for which he is famed unlocked the defence with a deft grubber kick through for Broadbent to collect and ground, Hall added the conversion to draw scores level on the ten minute mark. For the second week in succession, Craig Kopczak took to the field to make an immediate impact, another try with his first touch of the ball, scored under the sticks, Hall converted to put Rovers a full score ahead. Tries from Hardcastle and Leilua extended the Rovers lead to put them in clear control of the game when on thirty three minutes Ford, who’d been running the show up until that point, sustained a head injury which saw him leave the field. On the brink of half time, a clever kick from Sammut was chased by Ritson and the defending Broadbent, the resulting jostle for position between the two saw James Child reach to his pocket to show Broadbent a yellow card.  Down to twelve men and without their talismanic halfback, Rovers conceded just before the break to Ritson. The half time score being 22-12 in Rovers’ favour.

Barrow went back to back at the startoif the second half, Luke Cresswell scoring for the hosts with Shaw adding the conversion.  The game then endured a near half hour stoppage as medical teams tended to a medical emergency in the crowd.  Connor Jones also left the field for a head injury assessment.  By the time Jack Broadbent returned from his sin binning, the young centre had been off the field for nearly an hour.  Joey Leilua took his second of the day with a half hour remaining only for Barrow to respond through Sammut.  The game entered a tense period, a further injury to Matty Wildie resulted in another reshuffle, John Davies forced to play in the halves having already played at hooker, loose forward and a middle. Morgan Smith gave Rovers some breathing space, the determined halfback forced his way through to put Rovers six points ahead, Hall was unable to add the conversion from a difficult position. With less than a handful of minutes remaining and Barrow threatening to draw the game level, Ben Hellewell found his way to the line to seal the two points for Featherstone.