Featherstone Rovers 21 Dewsbury Rams 20: Danny Craven leaves it late to grab Rovers win

Rovers recovered from 14-0 down to level at 20-20 before Craven hit the target from 25 yards out after unsuccessful drop goal attempts in the closing stages by Dewsbury’s Paul Sykes and Featherstone’s Anthony Thackeray.

Ben Reynolds had a chance to give the Rams a last-gasp victory but the scrum-half’s kick from halfway fell short.

Full-back Josh Guzdek put the Rams ahead when he scooped up a loose ball after Paul Sykes’s pass was deflected off a player. Reynolds converted, then kicked a penalty for an 8-0 lead.

Jack Ormondroyd was held up over the line in a spell of Rovers pressure before Dewsbury struck again when Shane Grady went over and Reynolds goaled. Andy Ellis made an immediate impact after his introduction from the bench by sending in Kyle Briggs who converted his own try.

Thackeray and Michael Channing made the opening for Rovers’ Kyran Johnson to cross and reduce the deficit to 14-10.

Featherstone levelled when Briggs put in Misi Taulapapa but Dewsbury regained the lead when Jason Crookes forced his way over and Reynolds goaled.

Featherstone hit back again when Briggs, Ian Hardman and Taulapapa set up Scott Turner’s first try for the club and Briggs then made it 20-20 with a penalty before Craven’s late winner.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Johnson, Channing, Taulapapa, Turner; Briggs, Thackeray; Griffin, Craven, Bostock, Cording, Tagg, Ormondroyd. Substitutes: Davies, Roche, Baldwinson, Ellis.

Dewsbury Rams: Guzdek; Morton, Grady, Crookes, D Grant; Sykes, Reynolds; Groat, Speakman, Hepworth, T Adamson, Hale, Brown. Substitutes: Tonks, Conroy, L Adamson, Trout.

Referee: C Campbell (Widnes).