08 September 2023

With the League Leaders Shield safely secured, Featherstone Rovers completed the formality of beating bottom-placed club Newcastle Thunder to maintain their progress towards the playoffs. For the Thunder, defeat in this Friday evening fixture meant relegation to League One. Although Thunder had their moments, Rovers scored regularly throughout the first half and led to 28-6 half-time advantage. With a re-jigged backline, Rovers got off to the best of starts when Gareth Gale finished a neat scrum move. Back on kicking duties, Craig Hall slotted the first of his eight conversions from ten attempts. A sweeping crossfield move saw Gale grab his second, before the lively Mathieu Cozza ran through to score. Dane Chisholm’s floated kick was claimed by Gale for a hatrick inside the first half hour, before Thomas Lacans’ cut out pass allowed Hall to touch down wide out. The last score of the first half saw Thunder open their account.

Rovers started the second half with two quick scores from their second-rowers. Elijah Taylor twisted over after Lacans had gone close, and Brad Day touched down when Thunder failed to deal with Chisholm’s grubber. Neat passing put Hall in for his second try before Rovers gifted Newcastle their second try. Another perfect Chisholm kick saw centre Ellis Longstaff collect for his first Featherstone try. When the hard-working Matty Wildie raced overs from acting half-back Rovers led 56-10. Two late Newcastle tries rounded off the scoring.