27 May 2023

Featherstone Rovers swept aside a determined York City Knights side at the Summer Bash to maintain their 100% start to the season. The 46-16 success was Rovers’ twelfth successive league win, with wingman Gareth Gale the star of the show with four tries.

A dominant opening in terms of possession and territory failed to yield points until Jono Ford, back after a long lay-off, took a return pass from Brad Day and put Gale in at the corner. When Gadwin Springer barged over, it looked like Rovers might have things all their own way, but a York score cut the deficit and it took a nimble finish from McKenzie Yei, pouncing on Thomas Lacans’ kick through to give Rovers a 16-4 half-time lead.

Gale opened the second half scoring with a spectacular dive after Chris Hankinson’s magical round-the-back pass. Rovers then cut loose and blew York away with 16 points in six minutes. Ford’s towering bomb was spilt and Gale romped over for his hatrick, before Connor Jones scored the try of the game, supporting Lacans after great work by John Davies. The Ford strolled over to cap his comeback. At 36-4 the game was over, and the sides traded tries in the last ten minutes, Lacans dummying his way over and the prolific Gale grabbing his fourth.  Jack Bussey landed four from seven goals and Daniel Smith one from two.