Hunslet Hawks 12 Featherstone Rovers 50: Grayshon hat-trick clinches semi-final berth for Rovers

Fresh from a 10-try spree against Toulouse, Featherstone were a class above a Hunslet side who struggled to escape their own half for long periods, especially in the first half.

Second rower Grayshon and props Tony Tonks and Stuart Dickens were towers of strength in the Rovers pack, while half-backs Andy Kain and Liam Finn sparked some excellent passing moves.

Grayshon scored two first-half tries, his second being the pick as he raced 30 yards to the line. The Hawks, who made several changes from the side beaten 22-4 by Dewsbury, hardly had a look-in during a one-sided first spell which saw Rovers build a 28-0 lead.

Tonks bulldozed his way between the posts after only seven minutes, winger Bryn Powell scored in the corner against the club where he started his career and after Kain had dived over from a play-the-ball, Grayshon produced his brace of tries.

Hunslet responded to a half-time pep talk from player-coach Paul March, winger Waine Pryce stealing in at the corner to score against his old club, and Elliot Kear landing the goal.

Dickens and Tonks scored further tries for Rovers while Hunslet’s Joe Helme was in the sin-bin, but Hawks centre Elliot Kear had the consolation of scoring the try of the match, covering 60 yards.

Grayshon completed his hat-trick with six minutes left and centre Sam Smeaton joined in the romp.

Hunslet Hawks: Kain, Barnett, Clayton, Kear, Pryce, Grimshaw, P. March, Sullivan, McLocklan, Houston, Blakeway, Kelly, D. March. Substitutes: Chapman, Oakes, Helme, Lowe.

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

Referee: J Lehy (Dewsbury).

Halifax hope to seek sanctuary in France tonight when they face Toulouse for one of the two remaining Northern Rail Cup semi-final spots. Matt Calland has seen his Grand Final winners lose all three of their Championship games so far and he admits; “We are miles off where we need to be.”

Heavy Woollen rivals Dewsbury and Batley are involved in the last quarter-final tomorrow.

The Rams are without prop Anthony England (knee) against the cup holders while Batley are missing Ash Lindsay as he completes a two-game suspension.