Featherstone 20 London Broncos 10: Ideal preparation for triumphant Rovers

Trailing 4-0 at half-time, they looked in danger of suffering their second home defeat against London this season.

But experienced half-backs Paul Cooke and Gareth Moore together with loose-forward Jack Bussey were key to Rovers’ sixth win in seven games.

Rovers dominated the first-half territorially but were unable to crack London’s solid defence.

The Broncos took an eighth minute lead with a well-worked try from ex-Featherstone centre Ben Hellewell.

Rovers centre Paul Sykes and London winger Iliess Macani both had efforts ruled out for forward passes, while the hosts’ Sam Day and Ben Blackmore were held up on the line. London missed a glorious chance to increase their lead early in the second period when Elliot Kear fumbled the ball over the try line.

Featherstone then grabbed a 51st-minute lead when Andy Ellis, Cooke, Moore and Thomas Minns created the opening for Will Sharp to cross and Sykes added a touchline goal.

Then, good work by Cooke, Sykes and Ian Hardman saw Blackmore score before Will Milner plunged over.

Cooke then set up a try for Jack Coventry that Sykes goaled to put Rovers 20-4 up. Three minutes from time, Broncos replied through a spectacular 55-yard try from Macani.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman, Blackmore, Sykes, Minns, Sharp, Cooke, Moore, Baldwinson, Ellis, Coventry, Spears, Snitch, Bussey. Substitutes: Milner, Cooper, Tagg, Ormondroyd.

London Broncos: Morris, Williams, Hellewell, Kear, Macani, Pointer, Keyes, Riley, Cunningham, Dollapi, Harrison, Garside, Davis. Substitutes: Henderson, Adebiyi, J. Walker, Everett.

Referee: Chris Campbell (RFL)