Featherstone Rovers 48 Barrow Raiders 12: Bostock’s hat-trick has Rovers pull clear at the top

Centre Andy Bostock bagged three tries as Rovers condemned Barrow to their third defeat in four games.

Featherstone bounced back after falling behind within 47 seconds. Jon Grayshon lost the ball in a tackle near halfway and Barrow’s Andy Ballard scooped it up to race in for a try that Jamie Rooney goaled.

Featherstone quickly replied when Liam Finn, Matty Dale and Grayshon linked to send in Bostock.

They went ahead when Ben Kaye and Ian Hardman made the opening for Sam Smeaton to score and Finn converted.

With half-backs Finn and Andy Kain dictating play, Rovers continued to dominate and Bryn Powell crossed after good work by Finn and Smeaton.

Stuart Dickens and Finn then sent in Kain before Dickens crashed over from Kain’s pass and Finn goaled.

When Barrow briefly threatened, Hardman made a superb try-saving tackle to foil Gary Broadbent.

Rovers increased their lead to 28-6 on the stroke of half-time when Finn put in Bostock for his second touchdown.

Barrow were soon under the cosh again in the second-half.

Bostock scored his third try and Smeaton bagged his second by finishing a move involving Finn, Kain and Tim Spears.

Last season’s table-toppers Rovers completed the rout with tries from Grayshon and Powell and Finn’s fourth goal.

Barrow’s only reply was Joe Wardle’s try that Rooney converted.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Powell, Smeaton, Bostock, Saxton; Kain, Finn; Tonks, Kaye, Dickens, Grayshon, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Morrison, Divorty, Haley, Hepworth.

Barrow Raiders: Broadbent; Ballard, Wardle, Harrison, Nixon; Rooney, Coyle; James, Gleeson, Davies, Hughes, Fletcher, Catic. Substitutes: Luisi, Knowles, Walker, Thackray.

Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven).