Season 1999

Hat trick of tries and four goals from Jamie Rooney in 24 all draw with Dewsbury

Seven of the team from the 1998 Grand Final, plus coach Steve Simms, had all left the club by the start of the 1999 season.  New coach Kevin Hobbs had three overseas recruits – old favourite Brendan Tuuta, prop Hitro Okesene and full back Wayne Simmonds to try and plug the gaps.  Initially league form was a little patchy but 7 wins in first 9 games had Rovers in the top 4.  However, in May there was a slump in form with 4 straight losses including embarrassing defeats to lowly Doncaster and Bramley.  Kevin Hobbs resigned and new coach Peter Roe took over, changing the playing system and putting more focus on the younger players.  It paid off and Rovers won the last 6 games to finish 5^th and qualify for the play offs.  After beating Leigh, Rovers looked to be on course for victory in the play-off semi-final at Hunslet after leading 9 - 0 at half time. However, Hunslet powered back to win 17-9 and went on to win the Grand Final but were denied promotion.

Jamie Rooney established himself in the first team and along with Jamie Stokes, Stuart Dickens, Richard Newlove and Danny Evans contributed to the upturn in form. Wayne Simmonds proved to be a good signing and topped the try scoring.  As the season finished Rovers were faced with a potential winding up order and the club looked in danger of going into administration.