Moore hits Halifax’s chances in play-offs

FEATHERSTONE are 80 minutes away from reaching the Championship Grand Final for the fourth time in five seasons.

Scrum-half Gareth Moore scored a clever individual try and kicked five goals as second-placed Rovers recovered from 16-6 down to beat Halifax for the third time this year and book a home qualifying semi-final in two weeks’ time.

Third-placed Halifax live to fight another day in next week’s preliminary semi-final against Dewsbury Rams

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Halifax had to shuffle their team when winger Tommy Saxton pulled out in the warm-up with a back injury.

Rovers went ahead in the 12th minute when Ian Hardman and Jason Crookes combined to put in Tim Spears, but Halifax then struck back to snatch a 10-point lead.

Danny Cowling was thwarted by Moore’s try-saving tackle before ex-Featherstone hooker Ben Kaye plunged over from close range.

Ross Divorty’s surging run then created a try for Keith Holden before player-coach Scott Murrell’s neat kick set up a touchdown for Gareth Potts and Murrell kicked his second goal.

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Rovers cut the deficit to 
16-12 when hooker Luke Teasdale forced his way over.

After an untidy start to the second-half in which both teams made errors, Moore gave Rovers a boost by sidestepping his way through to score.

Four minutes later, the home side struck again when Kyle Trout powered over after Halifax’s Luke Adamson had been penalised for a high tackle on the lively Teasdale.

Featherstone sealed victory six minutes from time when half-backs Moore and Andy Kain made the opening for Matt James to cross and they completed the scoring in the final minute with a superbly-taken try from Crookes who capitalised on Hardman’s chip kick.

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Featherstone Rovers: Sharp; Blackmore, Worthington, Hardman, Crookes; Kain, Moore; Crossley, Ellis, James, Pick, Spears, Lockwood. Substitutes: Teasdale, Bussey, Trout, Hirst.

Halifax: Fieldhouse; Potts, Cowling, Casey, Robinson; Murrell, Mennell; Ambler, Kaye, Brooks, Manning, Divorty, Adamson. Substitutes: Tonks, Davies, Holden, Spencer.

Referee: G Stokes (RFL).

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