Halifax 20 Featherstone Rovers 32: Revenge is sweet for Rovers as Halifax are cast aside

Daryl Powell’s side, who lost to a golden-point drop-goal in last season’s title decider, trailed 20-12 at half-time last night.

But they responded superbly, dominating the second period to finish well on top.

Halifax had seized the early advantage with a try from hooker and captain Sean Penkywicz, which was converted by half-back Danny Jones.

Rovers levelled when Tony Tonks powered in, Liam Finn kicking the goal, as the contest see-sawed from one end to the other.

Wing Rob Worrincy backed up Bob Beswick’s midfield break to put the home side ahead again, with Jones making it 12-6.

Again Rovers came back, through Stuart Dickens’s score, Finn once more on target to make it 12-12, before a brace of touchdowns from Halifax’s other wing Paul White gave the home side a measure of control at 20-12.

That lasted just four minutes of the second half, which was how long it took for Rovers’ Bryn Powell to score in the right-hand corner and cut the gap to 20-16.

When Andy Bostock scored after a great kick from Finn and a tap down from Tom Saxton, Rovers were level at 20-20.

Rovers kept turning the screw and it was no surprise when Andy Kain dived in from point-blank range to put them ahead with 22 minutes to go.

Finn converted for a 26-20 lead and the visitors poured forward in search of more points.

They got them, too, and when Bostock bagged his second try and Finn kicked the goal it was game over.

Halifax: Fieldhouse; White, Goddard, Paterson, Worrincy; Jones, Black; Gannon, Penkywicz, Aizue, Chandler, Bannister, Barlow. Substitutes: Greenwood, Beswick, Watene, Fairbank.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Powell, Smeaton, Bostock, Saxton; Kain, Finn; Tonks, Kaye, Dickens, Grayshon, Spears, Worthington. Substitutes: Dee, Morrison, Hepworth, Williams.

Referee: R Laughton (RFL).

n Holders Batley Bulldogs face a derby trip to Dewsbury Rams after they were paired together in last night’s draw for the quarter-finals of the Northern Rail Cup.

The draw also features an intriguing showdown between Leigh Centurions and Widnes Vikings, a match which will be broadcast live by Sky Sports on Thursday, April 7.

Championship champions Halifax face a difficult, long trip to Toulouse Olympique while, in the remaining tie, Hunslet Hawks will be at home to Featherstone Rovers.

n Northern Rail Cup quarter-final draw: Toulouse Olympique v Halifax RLFC, Dewsbury Rams v Batley Bulldogs, Leigh Centurions v Widnes Vikings, Hunslet Hawks v Featherstone Rovers.