Featherstone Rovers 38 Dewsbury Rams 6: Dewsbury succumb to Briggs-inspired Rovers

Kyle Briggs bagged two tries as cup favourites Rovers followed a 68-0 success at Oldham in midweek with their 14th successive victory in a run that started last June.

Injury-hit Dewsbury’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages suffered another blow with their second defeat but they emerged with great credit after giving a battling display and were only 16-6 behind with 13 minutes left before Rovers scored four late tries.

Tim Spears and Andy Kain went close for Featherstone before the Rams took a surprise lead when Ed Barber scooped up the ball from Liam Finn’s charge down kick to send in Ryan Esders for a try that Scott Spavin goaled.

Dewsbury then did well to survive a spell of sustained Rovers pressure.

Featherstone’s Tangi Ropati had an effort ruled out and Greg Worthington was unable to get a pass to Gareth Raynor when a try was on the cards.

Esders made a promising run in a rare Dewsbury raid before Rovers finally opened their account when debutant Raynor’s powerful break out of defence led to Sam Smeaton weaving his way through for a try.

Rovers struck again shortly before half-time when Kain darted over cleverly from close range and Finn kicked the first of his five goals to put them 10-6 ahead.

Dewsbury tackled superbly to stay in the game in the second half before Rovers increased their lead in the 59th minute when Briggs twisted his way through for his first try.

Ian Hardman then put in Ropati to spark Featherstone’s late scoring burst. Briggs bagged his second score and then made the opening for Ben Kaye to cross before Hardman completed the scoring by finishing a move involving Finn and Briggs.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Raynor, Smeaton, Worthington, Ropati; Kain, Finn; Lockwood, Kaye, Dickens, Grayshon, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Briggs, England, Haley, Bostock.

Dewsbury Rams: Olpherts; Wainwright, Esders, Spicer, Buchanan; Barber, Spavin; Jones, Cook, Crossley, Davies, Tonks, Barker. Substitutes: Nicholson, Fozzard, Harris, Flanagan.

Referee: C Sharrad (Manchester).