Featherstone Rovers 34 York City Knights 14: Rovers profit as York suffer a late collapse

Bottom side York looked set for their first league win this season when ex-Rovers centre James Ford’s two tries gave them a shock 14-0 interval lead.

The Knights were still 14-10 ahead with just 12 minutes left but they finished without a bonus point after a late collapse.

The final score flattered champions Rovers who looked short of confidence after conceding 60 points in each of their previous two home league games.

After an untidy opening 24 minutes, York went ahead with Ford’s superbly-taken 50-yard try.

Featherstone’s Greg Worthington and York’s Tom Bush were sin-binned after a brawl before York increased their lead when half-backs Ben Johnston and Chris Thorman cleverly sent in Ford for his second.

Rovers were rocked again shortly before half-time when Thorman put in neat kick and Jordan Tansey scooped it up to score a try which Thorman goaled.

Playing down the slope in the second half, Rovers piled on the pressure. They cut the gap when Andy Kain hoisted a high kick and the ball was plucked out of the air by Andy Bostock who went in for the first of his two tries.

Rovers snatched the lead when Kain darted over and they ran away with the game in the closing stages. Chappell took his tally to five tries in two matches with his late hat-trick and Finn kicked five goals, including the 500th of his career. Chappell’s third try was set up by a great run from debutant winger Jack Briscoe, signed on a dual registration from Hull.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Briscoe, Smeaton, Worthington, Chappell; Kain, Finn; England, Kaye, Dickens, Dale, Spears, Hepworth. Substitutes: Ellis, Bostock, Haley, Maloney.

York City Knights: Tansey; Bush, Ford, Garside, Elliott; Thorman, Johnston; Sullivan, Lee, Aldous, Clarke, Davies, King. Substitutes: Turner, Sutton, Smith, Howard.

Referee: R Laughton (Barnsley).