Lo moment for Sheffield as '˜try' ruled out to Featherstone's relief

Rovers came up with a much-improved performance after defeat to Rochdale Hornets, but Sheffield tested them in the opening stages.

The game’s key moment came two minutes before the break when Garry Lo, Eagles’ Papua New Guinean winger, crossed between the posts, but the touchdown was ruled out for obstruction.

Rovers surged upfield from the penalty and Chris Ulugia went over from Michael Knowles’s pass, so rather than being 22-18 behind at half-time, Sheffield found themselves 26-12 adrift.

Bidding to end a four-game losing run, the ‘hosts’ went ahead in the second minute when former Hull full-back Reece Dean, making his debut on loan from Toronto Wolfpack, touched down from Dane Chisholm’s grubber.

Rovers responded with tries by Jason Walton and Andy Bostock, both improved by Michael Knowles, but Sheffield got on terms through a Duane Straugheir touchdown and Simon Brown’s second goal. Walton took advantage of Menzie Yere’s error to grab his second try, converted by Knowles and Ash Handley dived over.

Elliot Minchella shrugged off a posse of defenders following Chisholm’s break at the start of the second half and Brown added the extras to give Sheffield hope.

But Kyle Briggs kicked a penalty for Rovers and then converted a try by Anthony Thackeray.

Ian Hardman landed a penalty and Thackeray scored his second, from his own kick, before Lo went over for Eagles.

Thackeray knocked over a drop goal and the scoring was completed when Luke Briscoe crossed and Hardman converted.

Sheffield Eagles: Dean, Lo, Yere, Johnson, Blackmore, Brown, Chisholm, Wheeldon, Fozard, Mexico, James, Straugheir, Minchella. Substitutes: Trout, Scott, Cox, Hope.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman, Briscoe, Walton, Ulugia, Handley, Thackeray, Wildie, Bostock, Carlile, Ormondroyd, Davies, Knowles, Lockwood. Substitutes: Mariano, Moore, Griffin, Briggs.

Referee: J Roberts (Leeds).