Rovers get ‘physical’ to underline title pedigree against tough Cougars

Powell guided ambitious Rovers to the title last season and a strong second-half display yesterday confirmed their pedigree.

Powell’s men led through a delightful score from Ian Hardman, who finished off a bewildering array of inter-passing, but the home team fashioned an impressive response.

They hit back through when Danny Lawton touched down after a fine pass from James Feather and a penalty from Danny Jones edged the Cougars into an 8-6 interval lead.

However, Featherstone turned on the style after the resumption and prop Anthony England put them in front in the 53rd minute and Sam Smeaton then claimed a quickfire brace with two clinical scores in the right corner.

Powell said: “The players were in a tough battle of a game and they came out of it the right side, which is pleasing. It’s obviously going to be a tough place for teams to come this year.

“We’ve got to come here again in the Northern Rail Cup quarter-finals and we know how tough it’s going to be.

“But I think the Keighley forwards will know how tough it’s going to be as well.

“We were really physical today and we worked exceptionally hard for each other.”

Former Bradford and Wakefield winger Semi Tadulala touched down late on for Keighley to secure a deserved losing bonus point.

And player-coach Jason Demetriou said: “I was pleased with the lads because they dug in and got a bonus point.

“Bonus points are going to be important this season.”

Keighley Cougars: Moss, Haythornthwaite, Berrater, Lawton, Tadulala, D. Jones, Obst, Shickell, Feather, Cherryholme, Pursglove, R. Jones, Demetriou. Substitutes: Wray, Coleman, Rawlins, Korkidas.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman, Ropati, Smeaton, Worthington, T. Saxton, Kain, Finn, England, Kaye, Haley, Grayshon, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Hepworth, Bussey, Lockwood, Maloney.

Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven).