Rovers cruise to third win over Cougars and secure third Shield

Liam Finn set a new club record for goals in a season as Rovers ended the regular campaign by stretching their unbeaten league run to 12 matches.

Finn’s seven goals took his tally to 171, beating Jamie Rooney’s previous club record of 165 in 2002.

Rovers went ahead in the fifth minute when Finn’s high kick set up a try for Greg Worthington.

With half-backs Finn and Andy Kain dictating play, Featherstone doubled their lead when Ian Hardman cleverly exchanged passes with Worthington to score.

They were 18-0 up in as many minutes when Keighley hooker Paul March’s pass went to ground and Nathan Chappell snapped up the loose ball to go over.

The Cougars got their only points in the 33rd minute when Gavin Duffy scored from Jy-Mel Coleman’s high kick to the corner.

Jess Sheriffe foiled Tangi Ropati with a superb try-saving tackle after the Rovers winger made a 55-yard run shortly before half-time.

Featherstone’s domination over the visitors only continued in the second-half.

Kain and Finn sent in Grayshon before captain Stuart Dickens powered over from Jon Hepworth’s pass.

Rovers finished with a flourish with three tries in nine minutes.

Sam Smeaton darted over and Kain swapped passes with Smeaton to score before Ben Kaye put in Ropati.

Finn, who has scored in Featherstone’s last 44 matches, completed the rout with his seventh goal. He needs 18 points to smash Rooney’s club record of 429 points in a season.

In the play-offs, Rovers host Leigh and Keighley visit Halifax.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Chappell, Smeaton, Worthington, Ropati; Kain, Finn; England, Kaye, Dickens, Dale, Spears, Briggs. Substitutes: Hepworth, Lockwood, Grayshon, Bostock.

Keighley Cougars: Smith; Jesse Sheriffe, Lawton, Sagar, Duffy; Coleman, Jones; Jodie Sheriffe, March, Cherryholme, Shepherd, Pursglove, Barnett. Substitutes: Wray, Feather, Reed, Korkidas.

Referee: D Merrick (Pontefract).