25 June 2023

Featherstone Rovers did enough in a close contest on a humid day to record their 15^th win in 16 league fixtures at York. However, the victory came at a heavy cost, with serious injuries to Jack Bussey, Josh Hardcastle and Brad Day.

York opened the scoring against the run of play with a 70 metre interception try. Bussey was then stretchered off with a broken leg after suffering a dreadfully unlucky injury. The team hit back though and a double pump from Thomas Lacans sent Joey Leilua slicing through for Rovers’ first try which Mark Kheirallah converted. Rovers were put on the back foot again when Luke Briscoe failed to hold a bomb and York regained the lead. Before half-time Rovers went back in front with a superb try as a strong run from Briscoe was followed by another drive from gale who offloaded to Kheirallah who in turn found the supporting Leilua who brushed off tacklers for his second score. That left Featherstone 10-8 up at the break.

Rovers’ decision to take two points from a penalty goal at the start of the second half was an indication of just how tight the game was, Kheirallah’s kick going in off the posts. As the rain teemed down Rovers struck a crucial blow as John Davies showed wonderful footwork to sprint through the work line before finding Kheirallah to finish a 75m move. At 18-8 there was finally daylight between the sides, but then losing both Day and Hardcastle to knee injuries were cruel blows. Connor Jones finished the scoring near the end as he forced his way over from acting halfback.