06 August 2023

Featherstone Rovers slipped to only their second defeat of the season against a Wembley-bound Halifax Panthers side who took their chances to record an upset victory. The teams swapped tries throughout an even first half, but after the break Halifax edged in front to establish a lead they hung on to until the final whistle.

Gadwin Springer opened the scoring as he forced his was over after just two minutes, but the home side quickly hit back with a good try from Woodburn-Hall. Mark Kheirallah crashed over to restore Rovers’ lead, but when he was harshly sin-binned for obstruction just two minutes later, Halifax took full advantage. Gee and Maizen both crossed out wide as the Rovers’ 12-man defence was stretched. As soon as Rovers were back to full strength, Craig Kopczak put Rovers ahead again, bumping off tacklers to score. Kheirallah’s third conversion from three attempts left Featherstone 18-16 ahead at half-time.

Woodburn-Hall put Halifax back on top at the start of the second-half, and a Jouffret penalty on the hour left Halifax six points up and in control. A Woodburn-Hall drop-goal with just seven minutes left looked to have clinched the win, but Rovers were not finished. Luke Briscoe crossed wide out, but Halifax held on in a tense finish.