Rovers take Euro title despite late fightback

CHAMPIONSHIP winners Featherstone earned the title of Europe’s best semi-professional team with an eight-try win in the inaugural Anglo French challenge.

Jack Briscoe and Andy Kain each bagged two tries and Liam Finn landed eight conversions from eight kicks as Rovers beat their French counterparts.

Pia, whose side included ex-Featherstone half-back Maxime Greseque, staged a gutsy fightback from 42-0 down but it wasn’t enough to prevent Rovers being crowned European Club Champions.

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Kain gave Featherstone a flying start by darting over for two tries in the opening 11 minutes.

Rovers, who adapted far better to the wet conditions, continued to make all the running.

Tim Spears charged over and Kain sent in Grayshon before Briscoe, signed on a dual registration from Hull FC, scored his first try for his hometown team after slick handling by Finn, Grayshon and Kain.

Jonny Hepworth then put in Greg Worthington and Hepworth scored himself before Pia opened their account shortly before half-time through Mathieu Mayans.

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After the break, Greseque grabbed a clever try and Wendy Buche collected two tries, with Greseque kicking three goals to cut the deficit to 42-22.

Rovers scored their only second-half points in the dying seconds with Briscoe’s second after good work by Finn, Kain and Grayshon.

Featherstone coach Daryl Powell said: “Pia dominated the second-half but we were far too good for them in the first period. I thought we defended pretty well for the vast majority of the game.”

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Briscoe, Grayshon, Worthington, Saxton; Kain, Finn; England, Kaye, Lockwood, Dale, Spears, Hepworth. Substitutes: Bussey, Mvududu, Maloney, Haley.

Pia: Soubeyras; Ambert, Mayans, Naughton, Buche; Greseque, Carrere; Shead, Moly, Vaeau, Cantoni, Cooper, Wright. Substitutes: Lamelangi, Leger, Boudebza, Comtat.

Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven)..

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