Featherstone Rovers 34 Sheffield 6: Powell runs in hat-trick to extend Rovers’ lead at summit

Winger Bryn Powell bagged a first-half hat-trick of tries as Rovers stayed on course to finish as league leaders for the second year running by stretching their unbeaten league run to 14 matches.

Jon Hepworth, deputising at stand-off for injured Andy Kain, set-up all Powell’s tries and also grabbed one himself.

Featherstone’s goal-kickers Liam Finn and Stuart Dickens had poor nights, with Finn landing the only conversion.

Powell put Rovers ahead after two minutes when Hepworth’s long pass sent him in at the corner.

Sheffield did well to survive further pressure as Featherstone continued to make most of the early running.

The Eagles then briefly snatched the lead when Mitchell Stringer put in Misi Taulapapa for an 18th-minute try that Simon Brown goaled.

Featherstone quickly went back in front when Hepworth made the opening for Powell’s second try.

They increased their lead when Hepworth darted over from close range.

Hepworth again supplied the final pass for Powell’s third try shortly before half-time to put Rovers 16-6 up.

Sheffield’s hopes of repeating last season’s win at Featherstone soon disappeared in the second period.

Rovers substitute Kirk Netherton scored from acting half before former Hull Kington Rovers utility back Ben Cockayne marked his home debut with a try following clever work by Finn, Ian Hardman and Andy Bostock.

Rovers put the game beyond Sheffield’s reach when Finn and Bostock put in Matty Dale and Finn dummied his way over.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Powell, Smeaton, Cockayne, Saxton; Hepworth, Finn; Tonks, Kaye, Dickens, Grayshon, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Gledhill, Netherton, Bostock, Divorty.

Sheffield Eagles: Taulapapa; Mills, Yere, Crookes; Bergin, McDonald; Brown, Howieson, Henderson, Hepworth, Szostak, Green, Stringer. Substitutes: Finnigan, Rowe, S Scott, C Scott.

Referee: J Leahy (Batley).