Featherstone 52 Workington 14: Rovers heading for Shield final as Town players jet to Vegas

Nine players joined in the try spree and Paul Sykes landed eight goals from nine kicks in Rovers’ fourth victory this year over Workington.

Depleted Town, who had only three substitutes after five players jetted to Las Vegas on a pre-arranged holiday earlier in the week, battled bravely.

Trailing 28-4 at the break, they cut the deficit to 14 points before Rovers cut loose in the closing stages, scoring 24 points in the last 11 minutes to seal a place in the final against London Broncos.

Gareth Moore sent in half-back partner Will Milner for Featherstone’s opening try after seven minutes. Moore then had an effort ruled out for obstruction before his pass put in Ian Hardman.

Further Rovers pressure saw Jack Bussey, Moore, Milner and Hardman set up a touchdown for Ben Blackmore.

Shield table-toppers Featherstone increased their lead when Sykes converted his own try after Milner’s clever pass created the opening.

Workington replied with a 37th minute score from Jarrad Stack but Rovers were firmly in command at the break after Moore’s neat kick set up Bradley Knowles-Tagg’s first try at senior level.

Workington, who have won just once at Featherstone in the last 61 years, fought back in the second period. Jarrod Sammut scored the first of his two tries after a Theerapol Ritson break. He scored his second from his own high kick.

Rovers finished the game with a flourish after Andy Ellis went over from acting half to spark a late scoring burst.

Jordan Baldwinson and Bussey saw Moore go over, Tim Spears went in from Milner’s pass and Thomas Minns crossed in the final minute.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Blackmore, Sykes, Minns, Sharp; Milner, Moore; Baldwinson, Ellis, James, Spears, Snitch, Bussey. Substitutes: Johnson, Knowles-Tagg, Coventry, Ormondroyd.

Workington Town: Murphy; Ritson, Akehurst, Whiteley, Olstrum; Sammut, Forber; Coward, Doran, Walker, Stack, Szostak, McAvoy. Substitutes: Lucock, Scholey, Rooney.

Referee: M Woodhead (St Helens).