Featherstone Rovers 72 Barrow Raiders 20: Featherstone cruise to victory as Hardaker enhances reputation

Rovers, who were presented with the Leaders' Shield after the game, ran in 13 tries against last season's Grand Final winners Barrow.

Teenager Zak Hardaker bagged two tries to take his tally to 20 in 12 first-team appearances and Matty Dale also crossed twice as Rovers ran riot in their last outing before they host Halifax in the play-off qualifying semi-final on September 9.

Kyle Briggs kicked eight goals to pile on the misery for fourth-placed Barrow.

Featherstone made a blistering start and were 26-0 up after 20 minutes.

Clever play by Liam Finn, Briggs and Sam Smeaton sent in Hardaker for his first try and he quickly collected his second from Ian Hardman's long pass.

Tommy Saxton then grabbed a spectacular 80-metre interception try before substitute Ross Divorty scored with his first touch after Ben Kaye and Jamie Field made the opening.

Finn sent Tim Spears charging over for Featherstone's fifth try before Barrow finally got a look in when James Coyle's clever pass sent in Liam Campbell.

Rovers finished the half firmly on top when Andy Kain scooped up a loose ball to dart over and Dale exchanged passes with Liam Welham to score.

Leading 38-6 at half-time, Featherstone quickly shot further ahead in the second-half when Welham finished a move involving Briggs, Finn and Dale.

Kain and Finn put in Dale for his second touchdown before Barrow's Campbell scored his second after capitalising on Liam Harrison's break.

Featherstone prop Tony Tonks then charged over and Hardaker could have completed his hat-trick with a brilliant touchline run but he unselfishly put in Ben Kaye for his first try for the club.

Featherstone completed the rout with further touchdowns from Sam Smeaton and Finn, who also kicked two goals.

Barrow's Andreas Bauer and Andrew Bracek scored late tries.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Saxton, Smeaton, Welham, Hardaker; Briggs, Finn; Tonks, Kaye, Dickens, Spears, Field, Dale. Substitutes: Kain, Manning, Grayshon, Divorty.

Barrow Raiders: Ballard; Dixon, Bauer, Harrison, Larkin; Coyle, Campbell; Butler, Mossop, McGoff, Knowles, Noone, Fletcher. Substitutes: Bracek, Ostler, Broadbent, McDermott.

Referee: C Halloran (Dewsbury).