Featherstone Rovers 44 Halifax 4: Rovers open up with best start in history

Stand-off Briggs scored a try and kicked eight goals as Rovers continued the best start to a league campaign in their 89-year history with their fifth straight league victory.

Rovers broke the deadlock when Liam Finn's grubber kick set up a try for Jonny Grayshon that Briggs goaled.

Halifax, who had new recruit Michael Ostick making his debut, were let down by handling errors in wet conditions.

The closest they went to scoring in the first half was when Shad Royston was inches away from Ben Black's kick. Grayshon made two storming runs, Briggs kicked a 40-20, before Tonks had an effort disallowed for obstruction.

Briggs edged Rovers further ahead with a penalty goal before they increased their lead with two tries in four minutes.

Briggs and Ian Hardman made the opening for Stuart Dickens to cross before Finn put in Hardman. Rovers rounded off a seven-try victory with further tries by Briggs, Jon Steel, Finn and Tim Spears.

Halifax's only points came from Lee Paterson's late try.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Steel, Parker, Welham, Saxton; Briggs, Finn; Tonks, Lee, Dickens, Grayshon, Morrison, Dale. Substitutes: Kain, Divorty, Manning, Spears.

Halifax: Royston; White, Paterson, Haley, Worrincy; Bowman, Black; Maloney, Penkywicz, Ostick, Larder, Goddard, Bannister. Substitutes: Beswick, Aizue, Tamghart, Watene.

Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven)