Season 2009

Performances in three play-off games 

New coach Darryl Powell arrived with an ambition to instil a greater level of professionalism and fitness into the club.  Making his mark from the outset with 6.30am pre-season fitness training.   His ambition was supported by the Board with probably the most high profile signing in the club’s history - Iestyn Harris the dual code international.  Also arriving during the season were Ian Hardman, Jon Steel and Kyle Briggs as the squad began to look like one that should challenge at the top of the division.

There was a good run in the Championship Cup which ended in a narrow semi-final defeat away at Barrow. The league campaign began in impressive fashion with 4 straight wins but then a pattern of good and bad performances emerged as it had the previous season. There were too many blow-outs on bad days when Rovers failed to gather bonus points.  Rovers did make the play-offs but from 6^th place which many considered an underperformance.  In the play-offs form improved, and two great away wins at Sheffield and Widnes saw Rovers into the semi-final again away at Halifax.  In a pulsating and entertaining game at The Shay Rovers looked to be heading to victory until Halifax turned it round towards the end of the game to record a 36 – 30 victory.