North Wales 12 Featherstone 38: Blackmore try double ends Crusaders’ run

The Championship side didn’t have it easy as, at 16-12, Crusaders nearly took the lead for the first time and looked to be coming more and more in to the game.

But Rovers took control in the final 20 minutes and and the final scoreline had a more comprehensive look to it than what did the game justice.

Early tries from Gareth Moore and Andy Ellis opened up a 10-point advantage for Rovers, but the Welsh hosts Crusaders hit back with a score through Jamie Dallimore.

Featherstone had plenty of possession for the remainder of the first-half, but they only managed to cross for one further try through Will Sharp before the break.

Crusaders started the second period the better of the two sides and, within minutes, Tommy Johnson went over for their second try of the afternoon.

The hosts crossed over again shortly after, but Johnson’s effort was ruled out for offside from Dallimore’s grubber kick.

And Rovers made them pay as Ben Blackmore went down the other end of the field for a try, before efforts from Maitua, Blackmore – his second try of the day – and Foster gave the scoreline a more comprehensive look.

North Wales Crusaders: Johnson, Massam, Roets, Reardon, Mort, White, Dallimore, Burke, Wright, J. Walker, Hobson, Wild, Middlehurst. Substitutes: C. Ashall, Duffy, Joy, Davies.

Featherstone: Hitchcox, Blackmore, Hardman, Minns, Sharp, Sykes, Moore, Baldwinson, Ellis, James, Maitua, Foster, Spears. Substitutes: Marginet, Bostock, Bussey, Tonks.

Referee: D Merrick (RFL)